{"id":5569,"date":"2024-12-10T12:26:07","date_gmt":"2024-12-10T11:26:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rivistaeco.com\/?p=5569"},"modified":"2024-12-10T12:26:07","modified_gmt":"2024-12-10T11:26:07","slug":"criminalizing-cannabis-is-not-a-good-idea","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rivistaeco.com\/en\/2024\/12\/10\/criminalizing-cannabis-is-not-a-good-idea\/","title":{"rendered":"Criminalizing Cannabis Is Not a Good Idea"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Meloni government intends to tighten restrictions on the sale of light cannabis and oral products containing cannabidiol. This doesn\u2019t seem like a wise move. For one, it risks shutting down a sector that employs 10,000 people. More importantly, when legalization is well-implemented, international studies and experiences counter fears of health risks and increased crime, highlighting benefits for individuals and society alike.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

In 2016, Italy enacted legislation permitting the cultivation of “light cannabis.” Legally classified as industrial hemp, it contains less than 0.2% THC\u2014tetrahydrocannabinol, the primary psychoactive compound in cannabis. This threshold distinguishes it legally from more potent strains with significant psychoactive effects (the THC threshold varies by country). Low THC levels do not produce the psychoactive effects associated with stronger varieties; in illegal cannabis, THC content often exceeds 20%, according to the European Drug Report 2023.<\/span><\/p>\n

Legalize or Repress?<\/b><\/h3>\n

The 2016 law spurred new economic opportunities in Italy, creating a sector that now employs about 10,000 people. However, the Giorgia Meloni government has initiated efforts to revise regulations, aiming to equate light cannabis with high-THC varieties. In June 2024, a Ministry of Health decree classified oral cannabidiol (CBD) products\u2014non-psychoactive and known for their relaxing and anti-inflammatory properties\u2014as narcotics. These products are now sold exclusively in pharmacies with a prescription. On September 11, 2024, the Lazio Regional Administrative Court temporarily suspended the decree following an appeal by the Italian Hemp Entrepreneurs (ICI), granting the sector a reprieve until a final decision in December 2024.<\/span><\/p>\n

This has reignited debate over cannabis regulation in Italy, emphasizing the need for clear, coherent laws that consider ethical, legal, economic, and health aspects related to legalization and commercialization.<\/span><\/p>\n

From a health perspective, criminalizing cannabis seems paradoxical when alcohol and tobacco, both harmful when overused, remain legal.<\/span><\/p>\n

From an economic standpoint, legalizing soft drugs offers significant advantages, including tax revenue and reduced costs for drug trafficking enforcement. Eliminating illegal markets, often associated with violence and crime, would allow law enforcement to focus on more serious offenses. Globally, the “war on drugs” has not significantly reduced drug use despite substantial financial investment in these policies. Legalizing cannabis would regulate the market and weaken organized crime. In 2016, Italy’s National Anti-Mafia Directorate endorsed this view, citing benefits in reducing mafia and terrorist financing.<\/span><\/p>\n

Ethically, the law must balance individual freedoms, such as the right to produce, sell, and consume certain substances, with public health protection. Effective cannabis regulation would enable broader access to safe, controlled products, reducing risks associated with the illegal market. According to the European Drug Report 2023, around 8% of EU adults\u201422.6 million people aged 15 to 64\u2014used cannabis in the past year, indicating a significant demand currently fueling black markets and organized crime.<\/span><\/p>\n

Public discourse on cannabis often simplifies the issue to a binary “legal or illegal” debate, ignoring the nuanced spectrum of regulatory options. Countries have implemented various legalization models with differing degrees of liberalization and regulation. In many nations, medicinal cannabis is approved for conditions like chronic pain or chemotherapy-induced nausea. Recreational use is permitted in some places for personal, non-medical purposes. Another approach is decriminalization, which doesn\u2019t fully legalize marijuana but reduces or eliminates penalties for possessing and using small amounts. This model is employed in various U.S. states and European countries. A summary table outlines the current situation.<\/span><\/p>\n

Insights from Legalization Studies<\/b><\/h3>\n

Countries that have legalized cannabis for medicinal and recreational use offer valuable lessons, challenging preconceived notions.<\/span><\/p>\n

Economists Mark Anderson and Daniel Rees provided significant insights in their study “The Public Health Effects of Legalizing Marijuana,” published in 2023 in the <\/span>Journal of Economic Literature<\/span><\/i>. They examined legalization\u2019s impact on public health and crime. Contrary to concerns about increased youth consumption, data suggest otherwise. Instead, marijuana often substitutes alcohol, reducing alcohol consumption and abuse. Since alcohol is associated with more violent behaviors and severe physical harm than marijuana, replacing alcohol with cannabis could improve public health.<\/span><\/p>\n

Data also disprove the “gateway drug” theory, which posits marijuana use leads to harder drug consumption. Preliminary studies indicate a reduction in opioid use. Additionally, marijuana legalization appears to reduce the use of prescription drugs for certain mental health issues, suggesting potential psychological benefits for some users.<\/span><\/p>\n

Regarding crime, Anderson and Rees found no evidence of significant increases post-legalization. In fact, in some cases, crime rates, especially non-drug-related offenses like homicide, assault, rape, and theft, decreased. Factors explaining post-legalization crime reduction include the decline of illicit markets, redirection of law enforcement resources toward more serious crimes, and reduced alcohol consumption. While the effects of recreational marijuana on road safety warrant further investigation, initial studies indicate potential improvements.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Importance of Thoughtful Regulation<\/b><\/h3>\n

Research on marijuana legalization debunks many widespread fears, yet ongoing monitoring is crucial to maximize social and economic benefits while minimizing risks. Shifting the debate from abstract discussions to detailed policy design is vital; implementation details significantly impact outcomes.<\/span><\/p>\n

In California, for example, marijuana was legalized in 2016, but the black market persists due to complex bureaucracy for opening legal outlets and taxes as high as 38%. Additionally, U.S. legalization occurs at the state level without federal regulation, leaving products outside the Food and Drug Administration\u2019s purview. Without oversight and driven by profit, legally sold cannabis often contains excessively high THC levels, increasing dependency and health risks for consumers. Federal legalization has been discussed in U.S. presidential campaigns; both Kamala Harris and Donald Trump support reform, albeit with differing nuances.<\/span><\/p>\n

In Europe, cannabis market models range from non-commercial approaches to regulated experiments. Malta offers an intriguing example with nonprofit cooperatives allowing members to grow and share marijuana outside traditional commercial markets. Switzerland, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg have adopted pilot programs to study the safety and efficacy of regulated markets.<\/span><\/p>\n

Such programs enable regulated sales while collecting data on consumption and health impacts, allowing policymakers to make evidence-based decisions. Germany, for instance, is considering phased legalization, providing the opportunity to test and refine policies before nationwide implementation. This gradual approach minimizes risks and maximizes public health and social well-being benefits, avoiding the pitfalls of highly commercialized systems like North America\u2019s.<\/span><\/p>\n

Ultimately, for effective legalization, governments and parliaments must base decisions on evidence and clear logic, balancing competing objectives. For example, when oral CBD products offer health benefits without psychoactive effects, classifying them as narcotics, as in Italy, becomes difficult to justify.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The Meloni government intends to tighten restrictions on the sale of light cannabis and oral products containing cannabidiol. This doesn\u2019t seem like a wise move. 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