Essay on Cannabis Legalisation: Societal Impact and Country Analysis

This essay explores the complex debate surrounding cannabis legalisation, arguing that it would be more beneficial for society than prohibition. It begins by defining cannabis and its psychoactive components, THC and CBD, as well as discussing the current global prevalence of cannabis use and its associated health impacts. The essay then delves into the potential benefits of legalisation, including the regulation of the cannabis market, potential economic gains, and the ability to combat the abuse of the substance. It highlights the importance of regulated use to prevent abuse and protect vulnerable groups. The paper examines the socio-psychological aspects of cannabis legalisation, emphasizing the need for unanimous decisions and careful analysis within the legal framework. It references the experiences of countries like Uruguay and Canada, which have taken steps toward legalisation, and uses these examples to illustrate the potential benefits and challenges associated with such policies. The essay concludes by advocating for the regulation and decriminalisation of cannabis, arguing that society can only fully benefit from the drug with a strong legal framework, responsible use, and proper monitoring. The essay adheres to the assignment brief, including the required sources and word count, and provides a comprehensive analysis of the topic.

Running head: DRUG LEGALISATION
DRUG LEGALISATION

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Introduction:
When we talk about the Cannabis, we refer to a lingering taboo associated with it. Cannabis
or Marijuana as it is commonly known have been mystic element due to its psychotropic
effect, believed medicinal benefits, its colloquial use among various cultures and recently due
to its potential use as an industrial crop. Before we indulge into a discussion regarding the
legalisation of the cannabis or medical marijuana in various forms of industrial, medical or
recreational it is important to understand what cannabis is, and what are the benefits and
disadvantages of legalising cannabis. Along with we also need to weigh the economic
benefits that cannabis might offer and whether the cannabis industry can offer a prospectus
future without causing harm or danger to the people (Wilkinson, 2013). The legalisation of
cannabis is associated with several attributes and owing to its psychotropic effect the
legalisation of the cannabis is associated with immense impacts from the society and the
government.
The growing knowledge in the industry and the scope of the plant in terms of industrial and
medicinal values, the cannabis industry is like a sleeping giant and will rise to its immense
potential in the years to come. However in order to be a lucrative industry, the issues related
to the legalisation of the plant has to be sorted out and the issues related to red tapes needs to
be sorted to optimise the fullest potential of cannabis. With more and more nations looking
into its legalisation there is a growing hope that cannabis can be utilised in its fullest without
harming or causing a damage to the society. Uruguay, South Africa and Canada legalising the
use of cannabis in different forms, the recreational use still remains in the deadlock for the
rest of the countries. This paper will examine and evaluate the various aspects of the cannabis
plant and will look into the benefits that this plant has to offer and whether the legalisation
would be beneficial or detrimental for the society as a whole (Who.int 2019).

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Cannabis and its concept:
As per the World Health Organisation, (WHO) cannabis is referred to the psychoactive
components of the plant Cannabis sativa which constitutes two different psychoactive
components the tetrahydrocannabinol or the THC and the cannabidiol or the CBD which
have various medicinal value and psychoactive effects respectively (Who.int, 2019). The
cannabis is widely cultivated and naturally grown around world with various strains being
available in the world. The WHO reports that around 2.5 percent of the global population
consumes cannabis and since the 1960s the growing cannabis use has made it a classified as a
drug.
The health impacts of Cannabis has been outlined by the WHO which states that the use of
cannabis over prolonged period of time can impair memory and cognitive skills. It can also
increase the risk of lung diseases and cancer when smoked with tobacco. The immediate
effects includes paranoia, hallucination and impairs psychomotor performances.
On the contrary to these there are claims being made that the cannabis has the potential to
cure certain ailments and the THC has certain medicinal values which still is under research
and the claims are yet to be confirmed. The medical fraternity will still require time to
completely understand the impacts of cannabis as a medicinal plant. However, the industrial
hemp or the industrial cannabis used as a fibre has a high potential to generate fibre based
products. As the BBC reports the fibre generated from the Cannabis plant has the potential to
replace the plastic and the paper industry and therefore create a greener environment (BBC
News, 2019).
The Zion Market research reports that the legal Marijuana market will be valued at $ 62,964
Million dollars while the current market of marijuana was valued at 16,710 million US

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Dollars. This provides the scope at which the Cannabis or marijuana industry is going to
grow in the years to come.
Cannabis beneficial for the society:
Looking at the above scenario of the marijuana or the cannabis industry and understanding
its potential it has to be accepted that the plant has the potential to be beneficial in the society
but the adoption of cannabis requires more dedicated efforts from the public as well as the
private corporations. Since cannabis has a drug effect associated with it, it is important to
note that the use of cannabis has to be regulated in order to combat its abuse and access to
children and teenagers. With its regulated use cannabis has the potential to transform the
lives of future (BBC News, 2019).
Looking into socio psychological aspect of cannabis the legalisation of the plant
should happen under a unanimous decision and weighing the pros and the cons of its impact.
As Ellis and Silverstone reviews the process of legalising drugs, they have mentioned that the
process of legalising drugs should follow a detailed discussion analysis within the legal
framework and many a times decriminalising drug use and can reduce the amount of drug
abuse and would also allow the government to be aware about the use of the substance (Ellis
and Silverstone, 2012). With criminalising drugs and drug substances, the illegal market
remains completely remains out of the reach of the authority and the abuse of the substance is
also maximised.
Conclusion:
As we look into Canada and Uruguay legalising cannabis in their countries, it is time
for the other nations to look forward into regulating cannabis taking reference from the
framework of Canada and Uruguay. As BBC reports that Uruguay had been the pioneer in the
cannabis industry but still has a long way to fully develop a framework for its sale and

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regulation. With the growing demand and potential of the cannabis as an industry it is time
we look into its benefits and decriminalise it keeping the safety factor associated with its
legalisation. The society can truly reap the benefits only when a legal framework is strongly
developed and the regulation is properly monitored. The responsible use of the cannabis
recreationally is also to be promoted before society can be ready to accept the drug in its
beneficial form.

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References:
Ellis, T. and Silverstone, D., 2012. Legalise drugs?. In Debates in criminal justice: key
themes and issues (pp. 149-200). Routledge.
BBC News (2019). Uruguay: The world’s marijuana pioneer. [online] BBC
News. Available at: https://www.bbc.com/news/business-47785648
[Accessed 23 Jun. 2019].
Who.int (2019). WHO | Cannabis. [online] Who.int. Available at:
https://www.who.int/substance_abuse/facts/cannabis/en/ [Accessed 23
Jun. 2019].
Wilkinson, S.T., 2013. More Reasons States Should Not Legalize Marijuana: Medical and
Recreational Marijuana: Commentary and Review of the Literature. Missouri
medicine, 110(6), p.524.
BBC News (2019). Why are so many countries now saying cannabis is OK?.
[online] BBC News. Available at: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-
46374191 [Accessed 23 Jun. 2019].

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