Safe access to medical grade cannabis internationally is nothing new, clinic so what’s taking so long?

Cannabis, try use, possess, cultivate, transfer or trade in most countries.  Since the beginning of widespread cannabis prohibition around the mid 20th century, most countries have not re-legalized it for personal use. 

Currently only 10 countries tolerate (or have decriminalized) its use and/or its cultivation in limited quantities. 

Medicinal use of cannabis is also legal in a number of countries, including Belgium, Canada, the Netherlands, Czech Republic, Israel and 16 states of the United States.

It has been accepted that small amounts of possession are dealt with in different ways around the world, and always changing according to a country’s political leaders.  This makes it very hard to find an accurate reference to the unspoken police attitude of casual decriminalization of cannabis in certain places.

In some places there are just not enough police, judges or prisons to enforce the law to the letter; and other countries have laws that are not as vigorously as prosecuted as others.

But other than the countries that offer access to medical marijuana, the majority of countries have various penalties ranging from “Easy” to “Cruel”, and everything in between.  Some infractions are dealt with more or less seriously depending on who you are; when it comes to regarding the cultivation, use, possession, or transfer of cannabis for recreational use.

However, simple possession can carry long jail sentences in some countries, particularly in East Asia, where the sale of cannabis may lead to a sentence of life in prison or even execution.  Which seems kind of strange to me because nearly any other strange depravity a person could want is normally widely available.

Political barriers

U.S. opposition-  The United States, one of the most influential Parties to the Single Convention, has tended to oppose loosening cannabis laws.  Describing the former-U.S. President’s position, an October 20, 1999 article in the Dallas Morning News noted, “Aides said Mr. Bush does not support legalizing marijuana for medical use”.

INCB opposition-  In addition, the International Narcotics Control Board has tended to have an unfavorable view of drug legalization.  This was perhaps most profoundly expressed by Philip O. Emafo, President of the International Narcotics Control Board, in the Board’s 2002 annual report.

Individual nations could withdraw from drug control treaties, but would still be subject to the pervasive influence of bodies like the International Narcotics Control Board, which can issue unfavorable reports and recommend sanctions.  The Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs or the Convention on Psychotropic Substances could be terminated if the number of signatories fell below 40, but the Convention Against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances has no termination clause and therefore would remain in effect as long as there is even one signatory.

It’s a long road, but I believe we will soon see 16 countries; in addition to the 16 States that now have, at least, legalized Medical Marijuana.

What say you..?  Click on the comments and tell us how you feel about the repeal of Cannabis Prohibition Internationally.