The world has been struggling with what to do about cannabis for almost a century. Interestingly, in the early 1900s, the use of cannabis was accepted and popular. However, the 1930s brought about the beginning of criminalization of cannabis. For over 80 years governments have pushed prohibition and for those same 80 years the public has pushed back. Clearly, prohibition has not worked. In fact, the only groups that have benefited from prohibition have been the cartels and the black market.
While a step in the right direction, decriminalization has created its own unintended consequence. By decriminalizing possession and use of small amounts of cannabis without a legal source, this has created an opportunity for the black market to maintain control and at times, flourish.
Prohibition versus Legalization
This has resulted in continuing tension between governments whose approach to drug policy is “Just Say No” – in other words, complete prohibition and a growing public sentiment that wants marijuana to be legalized with little regulatory oversight.
Neither approach by itself works. So, the question becomes – how do we reconcile these two seemingly irreconcilable viewpoints?
Global Commission on Drug Policy Report
On September 24, 2018, the Global Commission on Drug Policy issued its report “Regulation – The Responsible Control of Drugs” in which it proposes a middle road – a robust regulatory program. It explores how regulation reduces harms to public health and to societies. This is a well-reasoned report and addresses all aspects of the lack of regulation and introduction of regulation. It looks at the challenges of moving from the illicit market to the licit market, and provides recommendations for those challenges.
Regulation is the Key
Having been responsible for cannabis regulation in the state of Colorado from 2011 through 2017, I have seen first-hand that drug policy reform regarding cannabis is needed and have experienced how to create a robust regulatory system. In 2012, when the voters of Colorado approved adult-use cannabis, my team and I were responsible for the development of that system as well.
Regulation is important and necessary because contrary to popular belief, cannabis use did not start with legalization. People have been consuming cannabis for centuries. So, the choice is not – cannabis use or prohibition. The choice is who is going to supply cannabis – the black market or the regulated system complete with robust oversight in testing, tracing, and taxing requirements.
I vote for an effective and well-regulated system because Colorado is a great example of how a good regulatory system can work.
