-
Philadelphia nonprofit opening nation's first supervised injection site next week
Safehouse officials say the federal government's planned appeal will not slow their plans, citing a deadly crisis that is showing no signs of abating
NPR (US)
Wednesday, February 26, 2020
After a two-year battle, the Philadelphia nonprofit Safehouse says next week it will open the first space in the U.S. where people struggling with addiction can use opioids and other illegal drugs under the supervision of trained staff. The announcement comes one day after a U.S. district judge issued a final ruling declaring the facility does not violate federal drug laws. This solidified an October decision, which was the first time a federal court has weighed in on the legality of a supervised injection facility, or what advocates call an overdose prevention site. The planned launch of the controversial facility faces stiff opposition from the Justice Department. (See also: SF to introduce legislation authorizing safe injection sites) -
The world's biggest legal coca industry might get shut down
A right-wing power grab in Bolivia could spell the end of a system that has likely kept the drug war in check
Vice (US)
Wednesday, February 26, 2020
Bolivia is one of three countries in the world that produce the bulk of the world’s coca, the green leafy plant that is the base ingredient for cocaine. And it's the only country where such large-scale production is totally legal—a system seen by some as a future template for legal cocaine production. Now, amid political turmoil, Bolivia’s legal coca industry could be shut down. It’s a move that some worry could lead to the return of drug war bloodshed to this relatively peaceful country. Meanwhile, those currently in power say the legal system is not as legal as it seems, and is feeding into the illegal international cocaine trade. -
What can be done about Scotland's drugs crisis?
Drug consumption rooms are a 'distraction' says UK minister
BBC News (UK)
Wednesday, February 26, 2020
Scotland has the highest rate of drug-related deaths in Europe and the numbers are continuing to rise at an alarming speed. Both the Scottish government and the UK government are holding summits in Glasgow this week to discuss how they can tackle the drugs death crisis. Plans for drug consumption rooms to get addicts off the streets have been called a "distraction" by the UK government minister for crime. Glasgow's plan for a special facility to allow users to take their own drugs under medical supervision are backed by the Scottish government. But drug legislation is reserved to the Westminster government. (See also: Bring ex-addicts on board to tackle drug deaths crisis, say experts) -
Gov’t assisting transition of traditional ganja growers to legal industry
A legal local cannabis industry will enable Jamaica to tap into the global market
The Gleaner (Jamaica)
Tuesday, February 25, 2020
Minister of State for Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries, Floyd Green, says the Government, through its Alternative Development Programme (ADP), is committed to assisting traditional cannabis growers to transition to the emerging legal medicinal industry. “The ADP was specifically created to offer farmers the technical and financial support they need to enter the legal industry. It is designed to guide the transition of small traditional Jamaican ganja farmers into the regulated and licensed cannabis industry,” he noted. “The ultimate goal is to create an environment where farmers can operate legally and where Jamaica can be positioned as a world leader in the global cannabis sector,” he added. -
Details revealed of Luxembourg joint-a-day weed plan
Yet roadmap to legalise cannabis violates UN drugs treaties
The Luxembourg Times (Luxembourg)
Monday, February 24, 2020
Luxembourg plans to allow people to buy 30 grammes of cannabis per month – enough for anywhere between one to three joints a day – according to details of a report published by the local radio station Radio 100,7. The government roadmap is not expected to be signed into law for another two years. Recreational cannabis will be limited to persons over the age of 18 and registered in the country for at least six months. Consumption will remain prohibited in public spaces and anywhere where a smoking ban applies. The government plans to set up sales points across the country, though they must not be located near schools. The cultivation of cannabis by private individuals will remain a criminal offence, as only licenced suppliers will be allowed to provide cannabis products. -
A 70/30 split on investment in medical cannabis industry
Any Barbadian who wants to participate and have resources can do so on a 100 per cent basis
Barbados Today (Barbados)
Saturday, February 22, 2020
Minister of Agriculture and Food Security Indar Weir is making it clear that 30 per cent of any investment coming to Barbados for the medicinal cannabis industry must be reserved for ordinary Barbadians. Weir added that foreign investors will receive 70 per cent. Weir did not give details as to exactly how Barbadians will receive the 30 per cent. However, he said he was cognizant of the fact that if Barbadians were to receive the full 100 per cent investment, “we probably still would have to take Government’s intervention to get it off the ground, and Government certainly does not have those resources”. The Minister mentioned that Government was having a conversation regarding providing financial assistance for those who do not have resources. -
Majority of German parliament favors recreational cannabis reform, but change neither sure nor imminent
The German government coalition party SPD clarified its stance on recreational cannabis
Marijuana Business Daily (US)
Friday, February 21, 2020
One of the German government coalition parties clarified its stance on recreational marijuana in favor of decriminalizing possession and allowing pilot programs involving the legal distribution of adult-use cannabis. With the Social Democratic Party (SPD)’s new position, a majority of the members of the German parliament represent a political party in favor of some type of recreational marijuana reform. It’s also the first time that one of Germany’s major parties and part of the government coalition officially favors reform. The move is seen as a positive because it represents a step forward. But a long and uncertain path remains before any material adult-use cannabis reform takes place in Germany. -
New Zealanders back legal weed once they know the facts - poll
"People are more likely to support legalisation of cannabis when they know that information about the restrictions that are proposed"
NewsHub (New Zealand)
Friday, February 21, 2020
Kiwis will vote to legalise cannabis if they actually know what they're voting on, pro-legalisation campaigners have claimed. A referendum later this year will ask whether recreational use of the popular drug should be made legal. Recent polls have found support for legalisation slipping. But a new poll has found when voters are told what's in the proposed legislation, support for legalisation comfortably outweighs opposition. "It's going to be really important that people understand what is proposed, and they have good access to accurate, evidence-based information about the issue and the likely impacts of the law change so they can make an informed decision," said Holly Walker, deputy director of the Helen Clark Foundation, which paid for the polling, conducted by UMR. -
Legalising cannabis: Supporters, opponents take swipes at each other as polls show knife-edge decision
Drug Foundation executive director Ross Bell said the downward trend in 'yes' support was because of "well-funded and relentless opposition scaremongering"
New Zealand Herald (New Zealand)
Friday, February 21, 2020
Recent polls on legalising recreational cannabis in New Zealand show support falling for the 'yes' vote, but also a significant number of undecideds who could ultimately swing the September 19 vote. The 'yes' and 'no' campaigns are pulling together funding and strategies to reach voters - including the roughly 10 per cent of undecided voters - in what is expected to be an intense and potentially ugly campaign. This week two polls - Newshub Reid Research and 1 NEWS Colmar Brunton - both showed 39 per cent support to legalise recreational cannabis use; the 'no' vote had 48 per cent support in the former and 51 per cent support in the latter. (See also: New Zealanders likely to vote against cannabis legalisation) -
Teen use of cannabis has dropped in New Zealand, but legalisation could make access easier
Cannabis use has been declining in many Western nations. This appears to be part of a broader shift in adolescent behaviour, not a response to policy changes
The Conversation (UK)
Thursday, February 20, 2020
As New Zealand prepares for a referendum on legalising recreational cannabis, surveys show opposite trends for cannabis use by adults and adolescents. Adult use of cannabis has risen sharply over the last few years, reflecting softening attitudes. But our study shows cannabis use in adolescents has been decreasing since 2001. It is important to understand what drives these trends to predict how legalisation could affect teen cannabis use. Our research shows the proportion of 14 to 15-year-olds reporting they had ever used cannabis fell from 19% in 2012 to 14% in 2018. Those who reported using in the past month fell from 10% to 8% over the same period. The recent changes are modest, but they follow substantial declines in cannabis use among high school students between 2001 and 2012.
Page 87 of 471
