Marijuana Legalization Around The World

It’s easy to focus on what’s happening in our happy little bubble in Canada, where adult cannabis use is completely legal. But there’s a whole wide world out there that is slowly waking up to the benefits of cannabis.

While many countries have legalized cannabis for medical use, few have taken the step of legalizing it for adult recreational use as well. When nations do entertain the idea of legislated cannabis, it’s usually with medical use in mind.

There are many progressive nations that have legalized adult use of cannabis. Canada was the first G7 country to do so, and Uruguay has done so since 2014.

Though illicit markets are often overlooked by authorities, they still exist on a large scale.

In Vietnamese cities such as Saigon and Hanoi, visitors can find cannabis easily when walking around tourist areas. Some cafes and stores even sell pre-rolled joints, even though it is against the law and can be punishable.

Although it may seem like it, there is always a new country making headlines for reform.

The Caribbean islands of Trinidad and Tobago have presented two bills to Parliament in November 2019, one that would decriminalize possession of cannabis and another to legalize medical use of cannabis. Canberra, Australia’s capital city, passed a bill in the fall that would allow possession of up to 50 grams of cannabis, with laws going into effect in January 2020. Although possession of cannabis remains illegal at the national level in Australia, these new laws provide a more lenient approach to possession at the city level.

Cannabis legalization is a complex process that varies from country to country. There is no one-size-fits-all solution, and each country must carefully weigh the benefits and drawbacks of legalization before making a decision.

As someone who has watched Canada make some incredible mistakes, I believe that we can learn from these mistakes and help other countries create even more successful legislation and frameworks.

The benefits of legalizing cannabis extend beyond consumers to include positive effects on economies. Creating a new industry around cannabis can help to boost otherwise stagnant economies, especially in countries where labor and resources are inexpensive.

Colic is of the belief that the legalization of cannabis in Canada will have positive spillover effects for other countries, in spite of any initial setbacks.

Colic believes that Canada has made some great strides forward, and that by helping other countries learn from our mistakes, we can create even more successful legislation and frameworks.

There are a number of countries around the world that are starting to adopt more progressive cannabis laws. This is a trend that is likely to continue as more and more people recognize the potential benefits of cannabis.

Barbados

Barbados is an island nation in the Caribbean that is renowned for its natural beauty, friendly people, and rich history. Visitors to Barbados can enjoy plenty of sun and sand on its many beaches, explore its lush tropical forests, or learn about its culture and heritage. Whether you’re looking for a relaxing vacation or an exciting adventure, Barbados has something to offer everyone.

In August 2019, the Medical Cannabis Bill was brought to Barbados’ House of Assembly with the intention of benefiting not only patients, but also the local economy. Indar Weir, the Minister of Agriculture, noted that international businesses would be required to set up subsidiaries that are at least 30% Barbadian-owned.

The experts say that Barbados has the potential to regain its former agricultural glory and become a world player once again. This would provide a much-needed boost to the economy and help the island retain more of its wealth within the local community.

Although only five types of cannabis have been approved for medical use so far, this is still a significant and exciting milestone in the country’s cannabis history. All five of the approved types are highly processed pharmaceuticals, such as nabiximols and Epidiolex. This is an important step forward for a small island with a population of less than 285,000.

Denmark

The Danish government is currently running a four-year pilot project for medical cannabis, which launched in January 2018.In the first 18 months of the project, around 3,000 patients were served and 15,000 medical cannabis prescriptions were issued. Although these numbers are not huge, they are also not insignificant for a country with a population of just 5.6 million.

The Danish government is highly supportive of research and development initiatives, as well as clinical trials. This commitment to innovation makes Denmark an attractive destination for researchers and pharmaceutical companies looking to push the boundaries of medicine.

The Danish government is highly supportive of research and development, and clinical trials. They help fund and set up the trials, and are keen to have companies perform research in the country. This makes Denmark an attractive place for companies involved in medical cannabis and CBD.

The reimbursement system for patients in Denmark is also very good.

Different medical cannabis markets have different states of public health care. As a result, you may not see medical cannabis covered in some cases. In Denmark, however, patients are eligible for 50% of their cannabis medicines to be covered, up to 10,000 DKK (just under $1,500 CAD) a year. This is thanks to Pateras’s efforts.

Denmark is looking to become an export hub for cannabis, and Pateras believes that they have a good chance of succeeding due to the country’s sophisticated network of pharmaceutical development, great greenhouses, and relatively low electrical costs.

Even though cannabis is illegal in Denmark, it is one of the most liberal Scandanavian countries when it comes to its use. In Copenhagen, the capital, there is a micro community called Christiania where cannabis is openly grown and consumed. Anthony Bourdain visited to shoot a segment for Parts Unknown in 2013, and the Trailer Park Boys filmed an episode there in 2016.

The Philippines

The current state of affairs regarding cannabis regulation is unsatisfactory. Three bills were filed in January 2019 in an attempt to improve the situation, but if they are passed in their current form, they would only make minor changes. We need to do better. Cannabis should be removed from the narcotics list and more broadly available for medicinal use, in order to provide relief for those suffering from severe and terminal illnesses.

The Philippines has seen a rise in drug-related incarcerations in recent years, with even those caught with small amounts of drugs facing harsh penalties. This could all change, however, if the Philippines moves to legalize cannabis. This would send a strong signal to other countries with similarly harsh drug laws, and could lead to a reconsideration of how cannabis is regulated.

Beker believes that legalizing marijuana would have a profound impact on social justice in the country.

Since the government began raiding and arresting all drug users, Philippine prisons have become overcrowded. This has led to an increase in diseases and violence. As a traditionally conservative Catholic nation, early adoption of cannabis as a viable medicine may be an uphill battle.

The farmers who have been struggling to make a living from coconut or rice farming would be deeply impacted by the income from a new cash crop. Many locals are excited to see traditional Philippine plant-based medicine return to the mainstream.

Despite the potential negative consequences, if these bills are passed, the community will be greatly affected.

Many patients and physicians are searching for regulated cannabis products to treat various conditions. They want to be able to rely on legal sources for their medicine, rather than the black market. Beker points out that farmers in the Philippines would benefit greatly from the income generated by growing cannabis, as it is a new cash crop. Additionally, many locals are excited about the return of traditional plant-based medicine to the mainstream.

South Korea

In November 2018, a number of THC and CBD cannabis products for medicinal use were approved, including Epidiolex, Marinol, Cesamet, and Sativex. Some of these products are currently prescribed in Canada, the US, and the UK, demonstrating their efficacy and safety.

Experts say that this is a big step forward for cannabis products in South Korea, which is known for being conservative. Previously, cannabis was seen as a dangerous narcotic, but this change shows that the country is beginning to open up to new ideas.

Beker believes that South Korea has the potential to be a leading player in the cannabis industry.South Korea is an inspiration to many of the ASEAN nations who are still developing. After the Korean War left the country in ruins, South Korea experienced one of the largest economic transformations of the past 50 years.

Though it is expensive, some residents who have prescriptions are already benefiting from the program.

Beker argues that the legalization of natural cannabis products would improve access for patients, as the cost per 100 ml bottle is currently over $1,000 USD. This would deeply impact the locals who are parents of epileptic children, many of whom are seeing great results in seizure reduction.