In the changing wave of global legalization, the increasing acceptance of cannabis use for both recreational and medicinal purposes is a hot button topic. The question of ‘weed is legal where‘ is becoming increasingly relevant. As of now, several countries and some states within the United States have enacted full legalization, while others have decriminalized the drug or allowed it for medical purposes.
One of the first and most notable instances of full legalization occurred in Uruguay in December 2013. By law, citizens are permitted to buy cannabis from selected pharmacies as part of a government bid to tackle drug cartels. Likewise, Canada made history in 2018 as the second country in the world to fully legalize the plant.
The status of cannabis legalization in the United States is a bit more nuanced, with laws varying by state. Thus far, marijuana is fully legal in 18 states, including Washington D.C., with impressive proliferation over the last decade due, in part, to the progressive nature of state legislation.
In Europe, some countries, most notably the Netherlands, have decriminalized or legalize the use of cannabis, primarily for recreational purposes. Across this landscape, the paradigm is shifted more towards tolerance rather than explicit legislation. Licensed ‘coffee shops’ in Amsterdam are famous for their cannabis offering.
Outside of these regions, there are countries that allow medicinal cannabis usage, such as Thailand, Cyprus, Poland, and Israel, among others. Thailand even recently removed cannabis and hemp extracts from its narcotics list, enabling the country to start exploring the development of novel medicines derived from the plant.
Indeed, the medicinal benefits of cannabis have been pivotal elements in advocating for its legalization. This is where the inclusion of the term “novel medicines” becomes highly relevant. More and more, cannabis is being seen as a basis for the development of new, ground-breaking pharmaceutical products. Indeed, research into cannabinoids as medicines is a rapidly growing area of interest within the medical, healthcare and pharmaceutical industries.
The use of cannabinoids in novel medicines is wide-ranging, from treating chronic pain, reducing seizures in epilepsy, helping combat anxiety and PTSD, reducing the need for opioids, to promising results in decreasing the growth rate of certain types of cancer. In several jurisdictions, legalization has been crucial to supporting the research necessary for these advances.
As legal frameworks continue to evolve, it is clear that our global society is rethinking its overall approach to cannabis. As we mitigate the risks and leverage the benefits, cannabis and cannabis-derived medicines may soon become a common part of our shared health landscape.
In conclusion, the momentum for global legalization of cannabis appears strong, driven by a desire for social justice, potential economic benefits, and the development of novel cannabis-derived medicines. The question of ‘weed is legal where‘ is no longer just a question of individual freedom or recreational use but is now closely linked to the advancement of medicine and therapeutic healthcare options.