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Cannabis & Sustainable Development (2019 working report)
Abstract
Updated toolkit available at www.cannabis2030.org – También en español: www.cannabis2030.org/es –––––– Subtitled "Recommendations for the implementation of Cannabis policies aligned with international Human Rights standards, the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the 2016 UNGASS outcome document", this report explains how the reform of hemp and cannabis policies can sustain or make harder – depending on the policy options chosen – the attainment of the 2030 United Nations agenda for Sustainable Development.
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The reformist trend in Cannabis policy globally is an ongoing movement unlikely to be stopped. A deficit of democratic monitoring of the generalization of legal Cannabis markets could represent a threat for affected populations and public health. Ethics are needed. A renewed interest and takeover of the topic Cannabis by all categories of the population are urgent.
A one-size-fits-all policy seems neither desirable nor possible, both for geographical imperatives and for the diversity of uses and products of the plant. This makes consensual policy models (exportable and generalizable) difficult to emerge.
Rather than trying to solve the equation of the perfect Cannabis policy and its infinite variables, a more feasible approach would be to step aside, list all the different public policies that affect, or are involved with Cannabis, and address them individually. The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its 17 Goals is but a perfect tool for this purpose.
This discussion paper highlights important research and experiential outcomes from scholars, civil society organizations, affected populations, and market stakeholders. It seeks to show the potential of the Cannabis plant in appropriately regulated settings as transformative for our societies – so long as ethical practices and sustainable approaches are kept central. This document is not intended to be an exhaustive guide. It is designed as a valuable resource to contribute to post-prohibition studies, and help understand, from diverse public policy perspectives, the links between the policies of Cannabis and the Sustainable Development Goals, and the impact of the former on the latter. The latest updated 2021 version is available at www.cannabis2030.org
... It can be applied in various economic industries, different from health care, beauty and well-being, like building materials (hempcrete), seed-pressed oils for paints and sealants, biocomposites, green energy and others. (Riboulet-Zemouli et al. 2019). To implement the win-win strategy, value orientations should be formed in a society that can create long-term benefits for all stakeholders. ...
Background
Nowadays, medical cannabis still remains inaccesible for patients in the former Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR). Even registered medicinal products based on herbal or synthetic cannabinoids, like Sativex, are practically unavailable due to their high cost and narrow scope of application (for example, in Lithuania). However, before the absolute prohibition of medical cannabis in the USSR, in line with Single Convention of 1961, the State Pharmacopoeia of the USSR (eighth edition) published monographs on such medicinal products as “Herba Cannabis indicae”, “Extractum Cannabis indicae spissum” and “Fructus Cannabis”, which could be prescribed by physicians with precaution.
Objectives
Formation of a holistic approach aimed at the creation of appropriate conditions for the development of medical cannabis market and the improvement of life quality and health of Ukrainian patients.
Methods
We analyzed legislation and regulation mechanisms for medical cannabis in the USSR, and the present availability of these products for patients in the former USSR, such as Lithuania, Georgia, Estonia, Russian Federation, and Ukraine. Four hundred thirty-five Ukrainian pharmacy students participated in the quantitative analysis (a survey) that took place on April–May, 2019 at Bogomolets National Medical University (Kyiv, Ukraine). They were surveyed about legalization of medical cannabis in Ukraine, advisability of including cannabis and cannabinoids related data into educational programs, and other issues. Qualitative analysis we applied consisted of the stakeholder analysis and Strength, Weakness, Opportunity, and Threat (SWOT) analysis. We classified the key stakeholders into the patients, healthcare professionals, legislative and regulatory bodies, pharmaceutical companies, pharmacies, etc., and ranked them based on their power and interest in the development of potential medical cannabis market in Ukraine. We also identified their expectations and goals. SWOT analysis allows us to evaluate predictable risks and opportunities, as well as strong and weak aspects of the effective development of medical cannabis industry in Ukraine.
Results
According to the survey among pharmacy students, about 80% support the legalization of cannabis for medical purposes. However, two-thirds of them think that there is a risk of illicit turnover. Nearly half of the respondents are not informed or poorly informed about cannabis therapeutic properties. At the same time, nearly 90% consider that materials on medicinal properties of cannabis and cannabinoids should be included in the training program. Nowadays, such stakeholders as legislative and regulatory bodies have the highest power over the development of potential medical cannabis market in Ukraine: more than two million Ukrainian patients still cannot access an effective cannabinoids based treatment. There are over 20 thousand children among them suffering from drug-resistant epilepsy due to the lack of adequate legislation. Moreover, a lot of stakeholders with high level of interest, such as growers, manufacturers of cannabidiol (CBD) products, pharmaceutical companies, pharmacies, higher education institutions, even scientists and healthcare professionals are still waiting for the legalization of cannabis for medical and scientific purposes in Ukraine. SWOT analysis shows that present business structures, educational and scientific institutions, regulatory bodies, and the competency of domestic specialists are strong enough to develop a new market of cannabis-based medicinal products in Ukraine. However, a long-term ban on medical cannabis requires more time for creating the entire ecosystem. This market can be quite attractive in Ukraine. It is characterized by high growth rates, low entry barriers and a substantial demand. Yet, its advancement depends significantly on the appropriate regulatory framework, high level of awareness among health professionals and society as a whole, and involvement in scientific study to become a part of the global medical cannabis market.
Discussion
The holistic approach is aimed to improve health and life quality of Ukrainian patients through cannabis-based medicinal products. It consists of three components: changes in legislation and regulation procedures; changes to value orientations in society; observance of stakeholders’ interests and purposes. Specific recommendations are worked out to realize this approach in Ukraine.
Endüstriyel amaçlı kenevir bitkisinin sayısız kullanım alanları ve faydaları bulunmaktadır. Endüstriyel kenevir bu yönüyle, kâğıt üretiminden, bio-yakıt üretimine, besin maddesi olarak kullanılmasından, plastiğin kullanıldığı her yere kadar farklı alanlarda kullanılabilmektedir. Kenevir bitkisi, detayları makale içinde görüldüğü gibi, ekonomilerde ivme yaratabilecek kadar büyük kapasiteye sahiptir. Kenevir bitkisi insanlık için bu kadar çok büyük bir öneme sahip olduğu halde, uyuşturucu amaçlı kullanımı öne çıkartılarak tüm dünyada engellenmeye çalışılmıştır. Ancak buradaki çalışmada da görüldüğü gibi, kenevir bitkisiyle ilgili engellemelerin temelinde, uluslararası bir boyut bulunmaktadır. Ayrıca kenevirin endüstriyel alanda yaygın kullanımının bazı güçlü dünya şirketlerinin işine gelmediği anlaşılmaktadır. Yine araştırma derinleştirildiğinde, yeterince gelişemeyen ülkeler açısından ve toplumsal açıdan konunun değerlendirilmlesi gerektiği ortaya çıkmaktadır. O nedenle buradaki araştırmada, endüstriyel kenevir üretiminin engellenmesiyle ilgili gerçek sebeplerin araştırılması amaçlanmıştır. Makalede literatür araştırması yöntemi benimsenmiş, kanıtların güvenirliği çok sayıda kaynakta bulunan bilgilerin benzerliğiyle doğrulanmaya çalışılmıştır.
Informe de Investigación independiente sobre Derechos Humanos y Politicas de Drogas en El Salvador
«Aportes Para Una Nueva Política De Drogas En El Salvador Miradas desde los Derechos Humanos»
New York, Abril 2016
Abstract:
Este segundo estudio sobre Políticas de Drogas en El Salvador reúne datos oficiales, una encuesta en redes sociales y aportes desde distintas disciplinas, sobre la actual política de drogas, sus efectos, la ley actual y las violaciones a los derechos humanos que se generan entorno a la misma.
Este trabajo enfatiza la mirada desde el contexto salvadoreño. Y permite escuchar diversas voces acerca algunos de los temas vinculados a las políticas de drogas y los derechos humanos. Presentado en vistas a la #UNGASS2016, de cara a la declaración política de Naciones Unidas de 2019 y a la clarísima desinformación general sobre las actuales políticas de drogas, ya obsoletas, y las alternativas a la prohibición, nos vemos en la obligación de compartir estas voces que proponen mayor claridad y un cambio de paradigma en la perspectiva, tal como ya lo hemos hecho anteriormente desde 2013 con nuestras publicaciones.
El estudio corrobora que el Estado Salvadoreño no actúa como debe y no actúa dentro de la ley, por eso realizamos un llamado con esta publicación a las organizaciones civiles a juzgar los excesos del Estado, pues el delicado equilibrio entre el Estado y los sujetos de la sociedad civil se rompe cuando el primero no reconoce que toda vida es sagrada. Y en esa situación nos encontramos.
El equipo que realizó la presente investigación analiza los delitos relacionados a sustancias prohibidas, los que constituyen la tercer causa de encarcelamiento después del homicidio y la violación, pudimos corroborar la gran deficiencia de las autoridades en cuanto a la gestión de sus recursos, su falta de capacitación para el levantamiento y organización de datos. Se destaca la preocupación por el deficiente peritaje de análisis de sustancias, pues en la actualidad no se ajusta a derecho.
Finalmente el presente estudio es una herramienta para ser utilizada por todas aquellas personas y entidades que trabajen en temas relativos a prevención, seguridad, salud, derechos humanos y desde múltiples áreas que son afectadas por la lógica prohibicionista y punitivo de la “Guerra Contra las Drogas”. Pero también es para que las PQUD tengan acceso a esta herramienta, la cual se ha convertido en el primer espacio e instrumento donde sus voces hacen eco en El Salvador.
Resum: els dos principals objectius de les polítiques prohibicionistes, en l'àmbit del consums de drogues, són eradicar els cultius declarats il·lícits, i evitar el consum de les drogues fiscalitzades. Els estats, en la seva obstinació per complir-los, mitjançant tot tipus d'estratègies militars i policials, han provocat un quantitat ingent de danys i conseqüències no previstes. El present article presenta els danys causats a la Salut pública i als Drets Humans; la discriminació i l'estigma infligit als usuaris, el dispendi de fons públics, la violència i les xarxes criminals i la contaminació ambiental. Vistos aquests efectes, podríem dir que el model ha fracassat; però per explicar-nos la seva vigència malgrat tantes desgràcies, haurem d'acudir a reconèixer les seves funcions com a sistema de control social «dur» en un món en plena transformació.
Paraules clau: prohibicionisme, polítiques de drogues, control social, danys.
Abstract: the two main objectives of prohibitionist drug policies are eradicating illicit crops and preventing the consumption of illegal drugs. In their efforts to meet these goals, states have used a range of military and police strategies, causing multiple unforeseen consequences. This article describes damage to public health and human rights; discrimination and stigma inflicted on users; misuses of public funds; the growth of violence and criminal networks; and environmental pollution. Taking these effects into account, we can see clearly that the prohibitionist model has failed. The explanation for its ongoing use despite so many negative consequences lies in its usefulness as a system of "hard" social control in a world in transformation.
Background: Benzodiazepines are a class of medication with sedative properties, commonly used for anxiety and other neurological conditions. These medications are associated with several well-known adverse effects. This observational study aims to investigate the reduction of benzodiazepine use in patients using prescribed medical cannabis.
Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed on a cohort of 146 medical cannabis patients (average age 47 years, 61% female, 54% reporting prior use of cannabis) who reported benzodiazepine use at initiation of cannabis therapy. These data are a part of a database gathered by a medical cannabis clinic (Canabo Medical). Descriptive statistics were used to quantify associations of the proportion of benzodiazepine use with time on medical cannabis therapy.
Results: After completing an average 2-month prescription course of medical cannabis, 30.1% of patients had discontinued benzodiazepines. At a follow-up after two prescriptions, 65 total patients (44.5%) had discontinued benzodiazepines. At the final follow-up period after three medical cannabis prescription courses, 66 total patients (45.2%) had discontinued benzodiazepine use, showing a stable cessation rate over an average of 6 months.
Conclusion: Within a cohort of 146 patients initiated on medical cannabis therapy, 45.2% patients successfully discontinued their pre-existing benzodiazepine therapy. This observation merits further investigation into the risks and benefits of the therapeutic use of medical cannabis and its role relating to benzodiazepine use.
L’ambition de cette contribution est de proposer un état des lieux des relations qu’entretiennent lutte contre les drogues et politiques de développement, en revenant dans un premier temps sur la notion de
« développement alternatif » afin d’en éclaircir les tenants et les limites. Une seconde partie explorera l’émergence d’une nouvelle
conception de la problématique, nourrie des leçons tirées des revers passés.
Numero accessible sur le site de l'OFDT : https://www.ofdt.fr/publications/collections/periodiques/drogues-enjeux-internationaux/
Drug Law Reform in East and Southeast Asia is a multi-author look at drugs in East and Southeast Asia, on drug policy, patterns and trends, local problems, human rights abuses, treatment prospects, and potential reforms. From the history of drugs in Asia, the book examines recent trends in illicit drugs, especially the present enormous amphetamine problems. It addresses recent policy shifts, especially harm reduction responses to the devastating drug-associated HIV epidemics. It explores further necessary reform, especially in regard to the abysmally inhuman current emphasis on detention and the death penalty for drug offences, and present the most recent evidence on effective and humane approaches to drug treatments. As the first comprehensive collection on illicit drug and harm reduction in East and Southeast Asia, it will be a vital resource for health professionals, policymakers, and others working there—and elsewhere—on drug policy reform. As the first comprehensive collection on illicit drugs and harm reduction in East and Southeast Asia, it will be a vital resource for health professionals, policymakers, and others working on East and Southeast Asia—and elsewhere—on drug policy.
1er paragraphe : L’ouvrage collectif dirigé par Juliet Carpenter et Christiana Horvath résulte du travail de dix-sept chercheurs inscrits au sein du réseau européen de recherche Banlieue Network fondé en 2011. Deux colloques internationaux ont permis l’élaboration dudit ouvrage. Réunissant quatorze chapitres autour des mythes et imaginaires relatifs à « la » banlieue, le livre se donne pour ambition de déconstruire les « clichés stigmatisants » qui caractérisent les quartiers populaires et les cités d’habitat social de l’Hexagone. Trois parties rendent compte des banlieues comme lieux de vie, lieux discursifs et lieux de création.
This article provides an analysis of the normative framework for Spanish cannabis clubs by contextualizing it within the growing body of comparative constitutional law that recognizes legal obstructions to personal drug consumption as intrusions of the right to privacy. Article 3(2) of the United Nations Convention Against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances, 1988 relieves State parties from the Article's obligation to criminalize drug possession and cultivation for ‘personal consumption’ when doing so would conflict with their constitution or basic concepts of their legal system. Spain relied on Article 3(2) in its decision not to criminalize conduct involving personal consumption. The Spanish judiciary has had to consider the legal implications of collective consumption and cultivation in the form of cannabis clubs. In addition to operating in a grey area of domestic law, Spain's cannabis clubs straddle the blurred boundary in international and European legal instruments between ‘personal consumption’ and ‘drug trafficking’. This article explores the theoretical and doctrinal implications of both Spanish law on cannabis clubs and comparative human rights law on drug use to outline the potential contours of a constitutionally protected zone of privacy pertaining to cannabis use in a social context.
This study uses data from the Fatality Analysis Reporting System and a differences-in-differences model to examine the effect of state medical marijuana laws (MMLs) on cannabis-involved driving among U.S. drivers involved in a fatal crash between 1993–2014. Findings indicate that MMLs in general have a null effect on cannabis-positive driving, as do state laws with specific supply provisions including home cultivation and unlicensed or quasi-legal dispensaries. Only in jurisdictions with state-licensed medical marijuana dispensaries did the odds of marijuana-involved driving increase significantly by 14 percent, translating into an additional 87 to 113 drivers testing positive for marijuana per year. Sensitivity analyses reveal these findings to be generally robust to alternate specifications, although an observed spillover effect consistent with elevated drugged driving enforcement in bordering states weakens a causal interpretation. Still, reasonable policy implications are drawn regarding drugged driving prevention/enforcement and regulations governing dispensary delivery services and business siting decisions.
Importance
Overprescribing of opioids is considered a major driving force behind the opioid epidemic in the United States. Marijuana is one of the potential nonopioid alternatives that can relieve pain at a relatively lower risk of addiction and virtually no risk of overdose. Marijuana liberalization, including medical and adult-use marijuana laws, has made marijuana available to more Americans.
Objective
To examine the association of state implementation of medical and adult-use marijuana laws with opioid prescribing rates and spending among Medicaid enrollees.
Design, Setting, and Participants
This cross-sectional study used a quasi-experimental difference-in-differences design comparing opioid prescribing trends between states that started to implement medical and adult-use marijuana laws between 2011 and 2016 and the remaining states. This population-based study across the United States included all Medicaid fee-for-service and managed care enrollees, a high-risk population for chronic pain, opioid use disorder, and opioid overdose.
Exposures
State implementation of medical and adult-use marijuana laws from 2011 to 2016.
Main Outcomes and Measures
Opioid prescribing rate, measured as the number of opioid prescriptions covered by Medicaid on a quarterly, per-1000-Medicaid-enrollee basis.
Results
State implementation of medical marijuana laws was associated with a 5.88% lower rate of opioid prescribing (95% CI, −11.55% to approximately −0.21%). Moreover, the implementation of adult-use marijuana laws, which all occurred in states with existing medical marijuana laws, was associated with a 6.38% lower rate of opioid prescribing (95% CI, −12.20% to approximately −0.56%).
Conclusions and Relevance
The potential of marijuana liberalization to reduce the use and consequences of prescription opioids among Medicaid enrollees deserves consideration during the policy discussions about marijuana reform and the opioid epidemic.