The Biden administration's move to reschedule cannabis fails to fulfil earlier promises of decriminalisation and does little to address the racial disparities in cannabis enforcement.
In line with neighbouring countries, Belgium's economy minister expresses support for a legally regulated model of cannabis, to better guide users, prohibit sales to minors, and redirect revenue from the criminal environment to the state.
Despite being legal for adult recreational use in 23 states in America, cannabis remains an illegal schedule 1 drug at the federal level, signaling an urgent need for reform.
Cannabis growers rely on the crop as a source of vital income and would welcome the possibility of transitioning into a formal market, without stigma and criminalisation.
As momentum for drug policy reform grows in Colombia, the growers of northern Cauca insist on a clear demand: that profits from legal regulation do not go to armed groups or big business, but to the growers themselves.
The government declared the bill sought to replace failed cannabis policies, reduce the informal market and protect young people, but it is likely to face fierce parliamentary debate.
Hendy et al. examine the potential, and limitations, of existing social equity provisions in cannabis legislation, pointing to the importance of reparatory frameworks that address structural forms of social exclusion.
The theme for this year's policy week is "Putting People First", which expands on the statement issued by the United Nations Human Rights Commission calling on all countries to End Stigma and Discrimination and Put People First.
Proposals for cannabis legalisation fell short of the required votes, however the fact the initiative reached the final debate for the first time underscores that the forces for reform in Colombia are stronger than ever.
IDPC welcomes the Board's increasing focus on human rights issues and cannabis regulation, whilst regretting its misrepresentation of the evidence on the latter, flawed interpretations of the relationship between human rights and drug control treaties, and a lack of constructive thinking on how to address the proliferation of systemic breaches in the global drug control regime.
