THE MEANING OF FREEDOM. TRENDS IN CANNABIS REGULATORY FRAMEWORKS
THE MEANING OF FREEDOM. TRENDS IN CANNABIS REGULATORY FRAMEWORKS

Summary/Abstract: Here are a few facts and news.Notwithstanding all the information campaigns and public policies that have constantly warned about the risks of drug use, all the research and scientific studies that have shown the medical, psychological, economic, and social dangers of drug use, this type of behavior persists. In 2020, around 270 million people worldwide used drugs, more than a fifth increase from a decade ago. On the other hand, most European citizens see drug use as a problem that can have serious mental, physical and social health effects on those who engage in it. However, in recent years, several countries have adopted legislative reforms that have relaxed the system of cannabis use. Arguments in support of the legalization of cannabis use have included the absence of legal risks for users, the perception of a high level of control over the quality of products sold on the legal market, and the certainty of the purity and strength of the product users’ purchase. Of the arguments used to keep cannabis use in the criminal area, the most representative are based on concerns about the increase in cannabis use, especially by adolescents and youth, a population for which cannabis is an exceptionally popular drug, but which also has the highest levels of vulnerability and risk owing to consumption patterns. Within these two extremes expressed worldwide, it appears to be very challenging for countries and governments to determine which would be the fair and well-balanced choice to follow. Several questions are legitimate in this regard in the end. Which way would the balances shift? Is it less expensive to have cannabis legalized or more costly to maintain cannabis users in the functional area without major disorders disrupting their existence and ability to function? In this brief review of the literature, both sides of this freedom of choice that cannabis legalization offers are highlighted: economic growth versus social and human consequences.

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