Introduction
There is a broad social movement calling for the legalization or even decriminalization of marijuana. These requirements are motivated by the fact that the drugs marijuana, unlike currently legalized alcohol or tobacco, according to supporters of, much less harmful to health and do not induce physical dependence. The argument for legalization is economic factor - a ban on the sale of marijuana generates excess profits derived crime corrupts and corrupts watching the traffic in organs, does not allow to fully develop the agricultural and industrial use of this valuable raw material and legalization would allow it to avoid and get substantial profits directed into the pockets of criminals today.
Although marijuana according to scientists from Bristol (Great Britain) recognized less dangerous than alcohol and tobacco, alcohol and tobacco usually does not cause voiced concerns as it is not legally prohibited. There is also no vindicated the view that marijuana use leads to the later use of more "heavy" drugs.
Body
All (or almost all) countries have laws governing the cultivation, sale and use of cannabis. The main reason for the legal regulation that hemp contains the psychoactive substance is used for the preparation of drugs such as marijuana, hashish. Parts of the plant Cannabis do not contain psychoactive substances (for example, fibers and seeds), are legal in many countries, and these countries can issue a license for the production of hemp.
We consider the attitude and law regulation for marijuana in some countries around the world.
The Global Commission on Drug Policy, of which, including, includes former and current high-ranking representatives of the UN, in June 2011, encouraged countries to experiment with the legal regulation of certain types of drugs that are permitted for the possible legalization, in order to combat drug trafficking. The information relating to States where a greater or lesser extent, some forms of legalized drugs.
Australia
Legislation on the use of cannabis differs considerably from state to state. In Western Australia allowed storage and private use of small amounts of marijuana (up 2 plants for excess - fine), the Australian Capital Territory are allowed to deposit up to 25 grams (for excess - fine), South Australia, New South Wales and Tasmania, as hashish possession not serious enough to be deemed a breach.
Argentina
In August 2009, the Supreme Court of Argentina ruled out from the list of criminal article for marijuana possession in small amounts. Previously, the use and possession of marijuana and cigarettes with its contents was punished by imprisonment in Argentina two years.
Belgium
In 1998, it was decided to classify cannabis soft drugs and to reduce the persecution of its customers to a minimum. In 2003, parliament passed a law on the legalization of soft drugs. In practice, the use of marijuana by the citizens of the country is one of the most minor of violations in terms of the police. However, the user of marijuana will be prosecuted if the result he violated public order. Smoking is not permitted in public places, possession of more than 3 grams or sale. It allowed the use of cannabis (hemp) for medical purposes.
Great Britain
In July 2002, it was decided to transfer cannabis from a class B to class C. This means that the possession of small amounts of cannabis and its derivatives will not be considered a crime. However, the police retained the right to arrest consuming marijuana in "severe" cases, such as smoking cannabis in the presence of children.
Canada
In 2001 it was allowed to smoking marijuana for medical purposes. The country can legally grow and smoke cannabis, though this smoker must obtain the opinion of a physician that he was seriously ill and special permission of government authorities. Permission is given to terminally ill, suffering from various forms of cancer, AIDS, arthritis and multiple sclerosis.
Mexico
Since August 2009, legislation allowed the storage and transportation of 2 grams of opium, 50 milligrams of heroin, 5 grams of marijuana, 500 milligrams of cocaine, 40 milligrams of methamphetamine and 0.015 milligrams of LSD. Prosecution will be subject to only those persons who have found drugs in excess of the established norms. With regard to people who were detained with drugs for "personal use", but not exceeding the statutory norms will be taken preventive measures. In particular, they will be offered a voluntary and free treatment for drug addiction.
Netherlands
It is one of the few countries where the drugs are officially divided into "light" and "heavy". Storage of "soft" drugs in the amount of not more than 30 grams is not punishable by law, any transactions with the "hard" drugs is severely punished. In large cities, the Netherlands, like Amsterdam, Rotterdam, The Hague, Utrecht and other open coffeeshops, are authorized to sell marijuana, hallucinogenic mushrooms and other soft drugs. Organization of licensed coffee shops was intended to protect consumers of soft drugs from the drug-dependent heavy drugs.
United States
The US federal government does not recognize any legal basis for the use of marijuana. At the same time since 1996 Alaska, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Maine, Nevada, Oregon and Washington have passed laws authorizing the use of marijuana as a therapeutic agent. In some US states (Maryland, New Mexico, Rhode Island, Vermont) is allowed with various reservations. US National Institutes of Health in its recommendations recommended the use of cannabis in certain diseases.
Czech
On January 1, 2010 came into force an executive order governing the storage of "small quantities of drugs." In the Czech Republic are now allowed to carry or store up to 15 grams of marijuana, 5 grams of hashish, 1.5 grams of heroin, one gram of cocaine, 2 grams of pervitin.
Switzerland
At the last in November 2008 referendum 68% of the Swiss who came to the polls, they voted to officially sell the heroin to addicts on prescription. In parallel with the vote on the so-called "heroin program" to the referendum carried the question of the legalization of marijuana. However, only 36.8% of the Swiss backed the idea, leaving, thus, a situation unchanged. In countries such as Luxembourg, Spain, Portugal and Jamaica as hemp are legal. In a partially self-governing Freetown Christiania, geographically located within the city of Copenhagen (Denmark), hemp and hashish are also readily available and are not prohibited by the laws of Christiania, though prohibited by Danish law.
Works Cited
Mahmoud A. ElSohly (2007). Marijuana and the Cannabinoids. Springer. ISBN 978-1-59259-947-9.
