Japan’s revised drug laws, effective Thursday, criminalize cannabis use, carrying a penalty of up to seven years in prison. This comes amidst a surge in cannabis-related arrests, particularly among young people, and aims to strengthen drug control while allowing for regulated medical cannabis products.
Germany’s recently implemented cannabis law is facing significant criticism following a high-profile smuggling case. Justice ministers are now pushing for revisions to allow greater investigative powers, addressing concerns about the law’s unintended consequences on organized crime and the black market.
Republican Senator JD Vance, known for his conservative stance, expressed openness to exploring psychedelic therapy for veterans during a recent Joe Rogan podcast appearance. This shift in perspective follows Vance’s acknowledgment of the potential benefits of substances like MDMA and psilocybin, alongside Rogan’s insights on the history and benefits of psychedelic therapies. While advocating for a ‘live and let live’ approach to cannabis, Vance’s curiosity about psychedelic therapies for veterans and his questioning of federal drug policy hurdles mark a potential evolution in his stance on drug policy.
Germany is taking a significant step towards cannabis legalization with pilot programs in Hannover and Frankfurt, allowing recreational cannabis sales for the first time. These five-year pilot programs will involve limited sales in designated stores, with a focus on data collection and harm reduction. This initiative aims to address the illegal cannabis market, provide a safer alternative for consumers, and inform future cannabis policy decisions.
The Oireachtas Joint Committee on Drugs Use in Ireland has published an interim report recommending the decriminalization of personal possession of all illegal drugs, aligning with the recommendations of the Citizens’ Assembly on Drug Use. The report also proposes a regulated cannabis market and further expansion of the Medical Cannabis Access Program.
Volkswagen’s Chief Marketing Officer for China, Jochen Sengpiehl, was deported from the country after testing positive for cannabis during a mandatory customs drug test upon his return from a vacation in Thailand. The incident highlights the stark contrast between China’s zero-tolerance policy towards cannabis and the recent legalization trends in other parts of the world, including Thailand and Germany.
Japan is taking a two-pronged approach to cannabis, criminalizing personal use while simultaneously legalizing medical cannabis products. The move aims to regulate cannabis use, combat drug abuse, and expand access to cannabis-derived medicines.
Vice President Kamala Harris’s campaign touts her record as a tough prosecutor. However, a previously unearthed policy proposal from her time as San Francisco’s District Attorney reveals a different picture, raising questions about the consistency of her tough-on-crime stance. This policy, dubbed ‘Operation Safe Streets,’ would have allowed drug dealers to be detained and released twice before being charged on their third arrest, a plan met with resistance from the San Francisco Police Department. The controversy highlights the evolving narrative surrounding Harris’s past and its implications for her presidential campaign.
The Biden administration’s attempt to reschedule marijuana from a Schedule I drug is driven by politics, not science. Despite the DEA’s objections and the lack of scientific evidence supporting its medical use, the administration is pushing forward, ignoring the risks of addiction, mental health issues, and the potential for increased drug abuse. This move is not only a threat to public health but also a dangerous precedent for prioritizing political gain over scientific evidence and the rule of law.
Oregon has reversed its drug decriminalization policy, bringing back criminal penalties for drug possession. This move, criticized by advocates, reintroduces a punitive approach to drug use despite concerns about its effectiveness and potential to exacerbate existing problems within the state’s under-resourced treatment infrastructure.
