Decriminalisation, legal regulation & reform

Regulated drug markets

Publications3 September 2026

Systemic racism against Africans and people of African descent in the enforcement of drug laws and policies — Report of the UN EMLER

The UN Expert Mechanism on Racial Justice and Equality in Law Enforcement calls for a fundamental shift away from punitive and militarised drug policies towards decriminalisation, responsible regulation and approaches grounded in racial justice, human rights, public health and community participation.

News28 August 2026

Legal regulation: Justice, profit and The Next Fix

In conversation with IDPC's outgoing Executive Director Ann Fordham, Kojo Koram explores the forces shaping drug policy’s future, from colonialism and racialised criminalisation to corporate capture and reparative measures.

Publications12 February 2026

A National Mission for Change: Putting People, Evidence and Rights at the Heart of Scotland’s Drug Policy  

The Scottish Drugs Forum published a human-centred list of recommendations for the incoming Scottish government, emphasising courageous policymaking and leading with compassion.

Publications12 February 2026

Analysis of results from cannabis pilot trials in Swiss cities

Evaluation of Switzerland’s cannabis pilot trials finds high participant satisfaction, no notable public-order incidents, and early signs that legal access models can reduce reliance on the illicit market.

News12 February 2026

UK: Green Party leader calls for system change in drugs policy

Polanski has called for a public health approach, with responsibly regulated drug markets, arguing that the current system pushes drug use into illegality, fueling risks and violence.

News2 January 2026

Morocco aims to boost legal cannabis farming and tap a global boom

Legal cannabis cultivation provides farmers with stability and income, but restrictive regulations and the profitability of the black market enable illicit growing to persist.

News20 October 2025

UK Green party leader Zack Polanski backs legalisation of all drugs

Polanski argues that legalisation would promote a 'public health' response and reduce drug-related crime, as his party’s support continues to rise across the UK.

Publications16 October 2025

IDPC Progress Report 2024-2025

IDPC reflects on a year of resilience and change, driving decriminalisation, harm reduction, responsible regulation, and international drug policy reform while defending civil society and rights amid funding cuts and political turmoil.

Publications6 October 2025

Safeguarding rights in EU drug policy - Contribution to the European Commission's call for evidence on the EU drugs strategy and action plan against drug trafficking

IDPC calls on the European Commission to ensure the next Strategy is balanced, evidence-based, and rights-centred, prioritising harm reduction, civil society participation, and policy innovation over punitive approaches.

News3 September 2025

Dutch hashish only in 10 towns as legal marijuana trial moves on

Ten Dutch municipalities will be permitted to sell only legally produced hashish. Experts suggest demand for Moroccan hashish will continue, driving the market out of the shops and into the streets

Blog15 August 2025

Reviewing the coca leaf’s international status: A chance to heal what Prohibition broke

The upcoming critical review process offers a chance to de-schedule the coca leaf, mitigating prohibition's environmental and social harms, affirming Indigenous rights, and reforming colonial, punitive drug policies.

Publications25 July 2025

Transitioning to legality: How to regulate the adult use cannabis market in Colombia

Martín-Lannes et al. provide insights from Colombia, emphasising context-specific regulations and offering recommendations that promote social equity.

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