Titre : | Options for cannabis reform [Discussion] (1999) |
Auteurs : | E. SINGLE |
Type de document : | Article : Périodique |
Dans : | International Journal of Drug Policy (Vol.10, n°4, September 1999) |
Article en page(s) : | 281-290 |
Langues: | Anglais |
Discipline : | SAN (Santé publique / Public health) |
Mots-clés : |
Thésaurus mots-clés CANNABIS ; POLITIQUE ; DECRIMINALISATION ; DEPENALISATION ; LEGALISATION ; PROHIBITION |
Résumé : | This presentation addresses three questions: what are the major policy options for cannabis reform, which is the "right" option and who occupies the high moral ground in the cannabis debate. The arguments in favour of policy reform are summarized, and three major alternatives to the criminalization of cannabis use are discussed: depenalization, decriminalization and legalization. It is noted that there is a wide variety of options both within and among these major approaches, depending on the type of offences included, types of drugs covered by the policy option and whether the option concerns de facto versus de jure change in policy. Cannabis policy necessarily involves finding a balance between two contradictory goals - reducing the health and safety risks associated with use, and at the same time, reducing the social costs and adverse individual consequences associated with attempts to control use. Therefore, it cannot be claimed that any single policy option is the "right" one for any given place and time. Finally, it is argued that cannabis reform should avoid moralistic arguments and focus on the empirical evidence regarding the appropriate balance between reducing cannabis-related harm and controlling use. © 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved. |
Domaine : | Drogues illicites / Illicit drugs |
Affiliation : | Department of Public Health Services, University of Toroto, Toronto, ON, Canada |
Cote : | Abonnement |
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