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The prohibition of drugs through sumptuary legislation or religious law is a common means of attempting to prevent the recreational use of certain intoxicating substances.
The European Coalition for Just and Effective Drug Policies (ENCOD), originally European NGO Council On Drugs and development is a network of European non-governmental organisations and citizens concerned with the impact of current international drug policies on the lives of the most affected sectors in Europe and the Global South. Since 1994 they have been working to advocate more just and effective drugs control policies, which include an integrated solution for all problems related to the global drugs phenomenon.
The Drug Policy Alliance (DPA) is a New York City–based non-profit organization that seeks to advance policies that “reduce the harms of both drug use and drug prohibition, and to promote the sovereignty of individuals over their minds and bodies” The organization prioritizes reducing the role of criminalization in drug policy, advocating for the legal regulation of marijuana, and promoting health-centered drug policies. DPA has been led by executive director Kassandra Frederique since September 2020.
This article is intended to give an overview of several arguments for and against drug prohibition.
The regulation of therapeutic goods, defined as drugs and therapeutic devices, varies by jurisdiction. In some countries, such as the United States, they are regulated at the national level by a single agency. In other jurisdictions they are regulated at the state level, or at both state and national levels by various bodies, as in Australia.
The Marijuana Policy Project (MPP) is the largest organization working solely on marijuana policy reform in the United States in terms of its budget, number of members, and staff. Its stated aims are to: (1) increase public support for non-punitive, non-coercive marijuana policies; (2) identify and activate supporters of non-punitive, non-coercive marijuana policies; (3) change state laws to reduce or eliminate penalties for the medical and non-medical use of marijuana; and (4) gain influence in Congress. MPP advocates taxing and regulating the possession and sale of marijuana in a manner similar to alcohol, envisions a nation where marijuana education is honest and realistic, and believes treatment for problem marijuana users should be non-coercive and geared toward reducing harm. The organization and it's various ballot initiatives has largely been funded by the late billionaire Peter B. Lewis, and now by his family.
Drug policy reform, also known as drug law reform, generally refers to proposed changes to the laws and regulations that governments promulgate with respect to substances that have psychoactive effects or a real or perceived potential to be used for recreational or other non-medical reasons. Proponents of drug policy reform frequently argue that prohibition of recreational drugs—such as cannabis, opioids, cocaine, amphetamines and hallucinogens—has been ineffective and counterproductive and that substance use is better responded to by implementing practices for harm reduction and increasing the availability of addiction treatment. Another reform proposed is to introduce a regulatory regime for the production, marketing, and distribution of some or all currently illegal drugs in a manner analogous to that for alcohol and tobacco.
The Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD) is a British statutory advisory non-departmental public body, which was established under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971.
The Stockholm Network was a pan-European think tank and network located in London. In addition to its own policy research, it was an umbrella organisation for market-oriented think tanks in Europe. It had over 130 member organisations.
A drug policy is the policy regarding the control and regulation of psychoactive substances, particularly those that are addictive or cause physical and mental dependence. While drug policies are generally implemented by governments, entities at all levels may have specific policies related to drugs.
Drug liberalization is a drug policy process of decriminalizing or legalizing the use or sale of controlled drugs. Variations of drug liberalization include: drug legalization, drug re-legalization and drug decriminalization. Proponents of drug liberalization argue that the legalization of these would make them more widely available, eradicating the illegal drug market and reducing the law enforcement costs and incarceration rates.
Illicit drug use in Australia is the recreational use of prohibited drugs in Australia. Illicit drugs include illegal drugs, pharmaceutical drugs when used for non-medical purposes, and other substances used inappropriately. According to government and community organisations, the use and abuse, and the illegality, of illicit drugs is a social, health and legal issue that creates an annual illegal market estimated to be worth A$6.7 billion.
The Washington Policy Center (WPC) is a conservative think tank based in the state of Washington. The organization's stated mission is "to promote sound public policy based on free-market solutions." It has a statewide staff of 23 and offices in Seattle, Olympia, Spokane, and Richland. The organization is divided into eight research centers: Agriculture, Education, Environment, Government Reform, Health Care, Small Business, Transportation, and Worker Rights.
Danny Kushlick is a British political activist and founder of the Transform Drug Policy Foundation (TDPF). He has appeared in British media on many occasions advocating for the decriminalisation of drugs. He stood in the 2010 United Kingdom general election for The People's Manifesto.
The Global Commission on Drug Policy (GCDP) is a panel of world leaders and intellectuals, with a Secretariat based in Geneva, Switzerland.
The International Drug Policy Consortium (IDPC) is a global network of over 192 NGOs that promote objective and open debate on drug policy at national, regional and international level. IDPC supports evidence-based policies that are effective at reducing drug-related harm. The IDPC secretariat has offices in London and Bangkok, with staff and consultants around the world.
Doctors for Cannabis Regulation (DFCR) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization which serves as a global voice for physicians and health professionals who support cannabis legalization and science-based regulation in the United States and abroad. DFCR promotes public education, global research, and advocacy to support legislative changes necessary for improved public health, social justice & consumer protections. DFCR was founded on September 30, 2015, by David L. Nathan.
The 2020 New Zealand cannabis referendum was a non-binding referendum held on 17 October 2020 in conjunction with the 2020 general election and a euthanasia referendum, on the question of whether to legalise the sale, use, possession and production of recreational cannabis. It was rejected by New Zealand voters. The form of the referendum was a vote for or against the proposed "Cannabis Legalisation and Control Bill". Official results were released by the Electoral Commission on 6 November 2020 with 50.7% of voters opposing the legalisation and 48.4% in support.
For Alternative Approaches to Addiction, Think & do tank (FAAAT), often shortened to FAAAT think & do tank, is an international non-profit organization created in 2015 and registered in France, with office in Paris (France). In May 2019 the organization started the process towards the discontinuation of its activities on 31 December 2019.
Under Korean law, Koreans are prohibited from using drugs, even if they are in a country where the use of drugs is legal. South Koreans are forbidden to smoke marijuana, even if they are in countries where cannabis use is legalised or tolerated. When they return to South Korea, smoking a joint abroad can be punished with a prison sentence of up to five years. Cultivating, transporting or possessing cannabis is also illegal under South Korean criminal law, wherever you are. The Korean government regularly reminds its citizens of this prohibition. For example, the South Korean Embassy in Canada wrote that "it is illegal for South Koreans to use cannabis, even if they are in a region where cannabis is legal". The Korean police also recently announced in an appeal that South Koreans can be punished at home if they smoke cannabis in a country where it is legal.
References
- ↑ "About us".
- ↑ "Main Page". Transform Drug Policy Foundation. Retrieved 2020-11-16.
- ↑ "Transform's achievements".
- ↑ "MediaNews > Supporters of reform". Transform Drug Policy Foundation. Retrieved 2008-05-14.
- ↑ "Blog". Transform Drug Policy Foundation. Retrieved 2008-05-14.
- ↑ "How to regulate stimulants: A practical guide". Transform Drug Policy Foundation. Retrieved 2020-11-16.
- ↑ "How to Regulate Cannabis: A Practical Guide".
- ↑ https://transformdrugs.org/product/after-the-war-on-drugs-blueprint-for-regulation/ After the War on Drugs: Blueprint for Regulation
- ↑ Rolles, Steve. (2007). After the war on drugs : tools for the debate. Transform (Organization). [England?]: Transform Drug Policy Foundation. ISBN 978-0-9556428-0-7. OCLC 506208837.
- ↑ "Transform publications".
