UNODC reports historical high levels of coca cultivation and potential coca production and offers insights into this increase, including as related to conditions of poverty and limited market access opportunities in rural areas of cultivation.
Contrary to prohibition, which favours higher potency products in the interest of maximising profits, legal regulation can ensure a careful balance to protect public health.
Ghana's recent drug law reform goes back to the floor for amendments, offering an opportunity to further its alignment with human rights and social inclusion.
As the legalisation of medical cannabis is celebrated, calls are heard for the alignment of other drug laws according to international human rights, including the facilitating of access to health and harm reduction services.
Fontecha and Walker allude to a lack of formal economic opportunities, familial traditions and armed groups pressure as key factors that motivate young people's involvement in informal coca growing.
TNI examines the drugs-environment nexus, its implication for rural working people, and critically interrogates drug policy and development responses to it.
The survey's respondents were primarily cannabis growers, who had experiences of self-medication with cannabis, and supported different policies of legalisation and regulation - including age restrictions and licensing requirements to apply for commercial growing.
