APRIL 9, 2023

LEGALIZATION OF
CANNABIS
ETHICS AND PROFESSIONAL DEONTOLOGY
SONSOLES PÉREZ, CARLOTA MALHO, AVITAL CHAER, ELIZ CADENA &
JEKATERINA LIEPINA
- Introduction ( why this topic., what will be discussed…) SONSOLES
- Chemical substances in cannabis and Types of cannabis SONSOLES
- Uses of cannabis (medicinal, edibles, recreative, tea …) KATE DONE
- Law and legislationELIZ – DONE
- Legalization in other countries AVITAL - DONE
- Economic abuse (taxes, prizes now and after) CARLOTA
- Advantages and consequences on people AVITAL DONE
- Ethical point of view ELIZ DONE
- Conclusion CARLOTA
-

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CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION 3

CHEMICAL SUBSTANCES OF CANNABIS AND TYPES 4

USES OF CANNABIS 6

SPANISH LAW AND LEGISLATION 7

LEGALIZATION IN OTHER COUNTRIES 8

ECONOMIC ABUSE 9

ADVANTAGES AND CONSEQUENCES ON CITIZENS 10

ETHICAL POINT OF VIEW 11

CONCLUSION 12

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Introduction
The legalization of cannabis has been for the last years a controversial topic of
discussion among governments of different nations. It is important to know what
cannabis is, as well as the main substances that can be found in it and how it is
differentiated regarding the most common types of cannabis consumed.
According to the United Nations (UN), there are 193 countries in the world
(https://www.un.org/en/about-us#:~:text=Currently%20made%20up%20of
%20193,contained%20in%20its%20founding%20Charter.) of which around 40
have legalized cannabis (https://elordenmundial.com/mapas-y-graficos/mapa-
legalizacion-cannabis-mundo/). Each country has a different legislation regarding the
use of this plant, whether the use is therapeutic or the recreative. Marijuana is a plant
that has been used for centuries with medical, diverting and religious purposes, as well
as for the textile, agricultural or cosmetic industry, or the creation of different objects
(chairs, fuel, plastics, etc.) (https://www.zamnesia.es/blog-los-10-mejores-usos-
del-canamo-n246 ).
The Spanish legislation permits the cultivation of the plant with commercial use only
when it does not have the active narcotic THC, according to article 9 of the Ley
17/1967, de 8 de abril. (https://www.boe.es/buscar/doc.php?id=BOE-A-1967-5592) ,
however, the legalization in other countries differs from the Spanish one, as there are
places with a zero tolerance drug policy ( United Arab Emirates, Malaysia, North
Korea, etc) (https://drugabuse.com/blog/the-20-countries-with-the-harshest-drug-
laws-in-the-world/) , hereby, both legislations will be analysed.
The following report will discuss the ethical view of the possibility of the legalization of
cannabis. In case of legalisation in Spain or in other territories, consumers will confront
a change in the prize of marijuana by means of economic abuse by the government
implemented through taxes to the establishments selling it, as well as to the product
itself. The formalization of the use and trading of cannabis will also have positive and
negative effects on consumers, not only economically, but also resulting in health
problems, or increase or decrease of number of consumers of different ages.
According to El Mundo, the profile of cannabis consumers are men between 15 and 34
years of age, who consume an average of 2-3 joints per day, usually mixed with
tobacco.
(https://www.elmundo.es/ciencia-y-salud/salud/2017/05/26/5927f99346163f6a6

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18b45e4.html#:~:text=Por%20sustancias%2C%20el%20perfil%20del,se
%20hacen%20mezclados%20con%20tabaco.)
Terminology
The terms 'depenalisation', 'decriminalisation' and 'legalisation' are frequently used in
the debate on drug control. These terms can be briefly distinguished as follows.
Depenalisation: Something remains a criminal offence but is no longer punished, e.g.
the case can now be dropped.
Decriminalisation: An offence is reclassified from a criminal offence to a non-criminal
offence. It remains a criminal offence and can be punished by the police or other
authorities and not by a court.
Legalisation: A prohibited conduct (criminal or not) is changed into a permitted
conduct. This is usually used for the supply and not the possession of drugs.
(EMCDDA, 2019)

Chemical substances of cannabis and types

Cannabis is the mixture of dry leaves and flowers that come from Hemp, a plant that has
to variables, it can be male or female hemp. To obtain cannabis, it must be considered
the two types, as it is the female hemp that produces the flowers with bigger quantities
of psychoactive effects. If a male plant is put next to a female, the male will pollinize
the female which will make it become male, as they are hermaphrodite.
(https://www.lahuertagrowshop.com/blog/como-distinguir-marihuana-macho-y-
hembra/)
Cannabis can be called as well, Marijuana, weed, herb, pot, Mary Jane, between the
most usual terms. The presentation of the plant is not only the dry flower, it also
includes the pressed flower, called Hash, Polen or Dry, or the rosin that comes from the
pressed rosin or pressed Hash. There are two main substances in the plant, called
fitocannabinoids; CBD (cannabinol) and THC (Delta-9 Tetrahydrocannabinol). CBD,
being the relaxing component, and THC as the psychoactive one.
(https://nida.nih.gov/es/download/1380/el-canabis-marihuana-reporte-de-
investigacion.pdf?v=7fc7d24c3dc120a03cf26348876bc1e4)
THC is the component that is considered “harmful” in most countries where cannabis is
permitted, in fact, it is this component that is usually illegal as it alters the neurological
system and sensory perception, by activating several receptors such as receptor 55

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(protein G), that regulates the arterial pressure or receptor TRPV1, that regulates
perception of pain and body temperature
(https://www.medigraphic.com/pdfs/facmed/un-2019/un196b.pdf) . There are two
types of cannabis, Sativa and Indica. Sativa is the type of weed that activates someone,
perceptions are higher, and the feeling is of carelessness, laughing and moving, whereas
Indica relaxes the body, makes a person feel sleepy, and have the necessity to sit down.
Both types usually make a person hungry, cold and, in some way, makes the mind
“empty”. However, this effects variate depending on who and how is the consumer.
CBD on the other hand, sensibilizes the natural cannabinoids present in the human body
(endocannabinoids), cutting the receptors that activate the body and creating the
relaxation feeling. (https://bedrocan.com/es/explicacion-de-nuestro-sistema-
endocannabinoide/#:~:text=Los%20humanos%20producen%20sus
%20propios,las%20plantas%20se%20llaman%20fitocannabinoides.)
Although Sativa and Indica are two different types, nowadays they are hybrids, there is
not a plant which has only one type or another, the only possibility is the mixture of
both with higher quantity of Sativa or Indica. Nevertheless, people have found a way to
experiment with the plant, by adding flavours, effects, or odours.
For recreative use, growers play with the amount of THC and CBD and Sativa and
Indica, creating names for each kind of weed. Some common with high amounts of
sativa would be Utopia Haze, Neville’s Haze or Jamaican Dream. To indicate the type
through the names, “Haze” is commonly used for higher Sativa amounts, on the
contrary, Indica weed include Purple Kush or Afgan Kush. With high THC amounts it
can be found: Strawberry banana, irish cream, in between others and with high CBD
amounts as well as indica tones there is Amnesia, Gelato, and flavoured cannabis:
Lemon kush, banana kush, melon kush, etc.
Some of these varieties contain specific effects or stronger flavour or effect, this is the
case of Amnesia, Gelatto or Utopia Haze.
In Spain, many of this varieties exists with very low levels of THC, as the law does not
permit the use of it, so growers sell CBD marijuana with names and effects based on the
types with THC.

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Uses of cannabis

Cannabis and Medicine

Marijuana is a prohibited substance for smoking. Its cultivation and sale in many
countries is punishable by criminal liability. But it also has a number of useful
properties, which allows it to be used for medical purposes in the treatment of diseases,
as well as in various other industries.
Medical marijuana comes in various forms for use, including oil, tablet or
capsule, liquid that can be vaporized, nasal spray, and the traditional dried leaves and
buds thay can be smoked or taken as edibles.
The most common use for medical marijuana is for pain control. While
marijuana isn’t strong enough for severe pain (for example, post-surgical pain or a
broken bone), it is quite effective for the chronic pain that plagues millions, especially
as they age. Part of its allure is that it is clearly safer than opiates (it is impossible to
overdose on and far less addictive) and it can take the place of NSAIDs such as Advil or
Aleve, if people can’t take them due to problems with their kidneys or ulcers or GERD.
In particular, marijuana appears to ease the pain of multiple sclerosis, and nerve
pain in general. This is an area where few other options exist, and those that do, such as
Neurontin, Lyrica, or opiates are highly sedating. Patients claim that marijuana allows
them to resume their previous activities without feeling completely out of it and
disengaged.
Marijuana is also used to manage nausea and weight loss and can be used to treat
glaucoma. A highly promising area of research is its use for PTSD in veterans who are
returning from combat zones.. Medical marijuana is also reported to help patients
suffering from pain and wasting syndrome associated with HIV, as well as irritable
bowel syndrome and Crohn’s disease.
Cannabis and Religion
Cannabis is one of the most important plants to be regarded as sacred by
humankind. When the plant is used in religious ceremonies and practices, or when it is
regarded as sacred or significant by a particular religion, it is defined as sacramental.
It is probable that the connection between cannabis and religion began with its
use as ceremonial incense along with other naturally pungent herbs. When thrown upon
a fire or smouldering coals, clouds of smoke rich in the active ingredient THC would be

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released to be inhaled by those present. The enhanced perception of colours, sounds,
and the passage of time would all have underlined the belief that they were in touch
with their deity.
The use of cannabis a religious sacrament predates written history and evidence
of its place as a sacred plant can be found in most ancient religions, including
Buddhism, Shintoism, Sufism and Christianity; and among the Bantu, Pygmy, Zulu and
Hottentot tribes of Africa. Several modern religions still practice the ceremonial
consumption of psychoactive cannabis, for example Rastafari, while others consider it
holy due to its many other properties, revering it as a symbol of strength, purity or
wellness.
Ancient China served as the birthplace of the historical use of cannabis. Before
the rise of more structured religions, the people in this region held shamanistic and
animistic worldviews. The specific use of cannabis in this world of spirits, gods, and
magic remains unclear. However, evidence suggests that weed and spirituality had some
kind of association. Archaeologists unearthed cannabis leaves, shoots, and flowers from
2,500-year-old Yanghai Tombs located in the northwest of modern-day China. The
presence of cannabis in tombs suggests a spiritual use of the plant, raising the possibility
of the herb’s use within the shamanic and animist systems of ancient China.
Buddhists have varying views when it comes to cannabis. Some sects are more
open to cannabis use, whereas others strictly oppose it. Regardless of these contrasting
opinions, the herb did play a role in the Buddha’s journey—Gautama Buddha consumed
a diet of one hemp seed per day over a period of six years on his path to enlightenment.
Buddhists also follow a set of beliefs known as the Five Precepts. The Fifth Precept
specifically prohibits intoxication through alcohol and drugs. It seems like this rule
should completely remove cannabis from the equation. However, the pages of the
Mahakala Tantra (an eight-chapter scripture) talk about the prescription of cannabis and
other mind-altering substances for medicinal purposes.
Japan has a long history with the hemp plant. Indigenous peoples on the island
used it to make clothes and baskets, and they consumed the seeds. It therefore comes as
no surprise that the ancient religion of Shintoism held cannabis in high regard. Shinto
lacks a strict objective morality, with no tight doctrine on right or wrong, but accepts
that the perfect person does not exist. The religion harbours a superstitious and spiritual
view of the world. While humans are perceived as fundamentally good, they can fall
prey to the doings of evil spirits. But what can a mortal human do against such an

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adversary? Grab some weed, of course! Cannabis holds spiritual significance in
Shintoism. Followers see the herb as a cleansing plant capable of casting away evil
spirits. Shinto priests wave bundles of weed over possessed individuals to exorcise these
pesky malevolent beings.
The ancient Egyptians used cannabis for industrial and therapeutic purposes, but
the exact ceremonial and religious use of the herb remains obscured. However,
archaeologists have found evidence of cannabis use while studying the mummified
pharaohs. Because of their divine status, these findings suggest the use of the herb in a
religious context. Researchers also found a significant level of THC, alongside cocaine
and nicotine, while studying a mummy dating back to 950 BCE. Cannabis pollen was
also found on the mummy of Ramesses II, who died in 1213 BCE.
Weed and spirituality go hand in hand when it comes to Hinduism. As one of the
oldest religions in the world, the faith dates back over 4,000 years. Hindus embrace
cannabis as a sacrament, an offering, and a substance formed from the blood of Shiva—
a member of the religion’s trinity. The sacred texts of the religion, known as the Vedas,
even speak of the sanctity of marijuana. The pages describe five sacred plants. Cannabis
serves as a member among these ranks, and some Hindus believe a guardian angel
occupies the leaves. The Vedas also describe cannabis as a “liberator” and a “source of
happiness”.
The use of cannabis in ancient Judaism remains a debated topic. In 2020, Israeli
archaeologists found traces of the herb on artefacts from an eighth-century BCE shrine
at Tel Arad. Some scholars also argue that the term “kaneh bosem”, a plant used in the
holy anointing oil in the Book of Exodus, refers to cannabis. Regardless of the ancient
use of cannabis in Judaism, rabbis in the modern era have a mixed stance on the topic of
weed. In 1978, Orthodox rabbi Moshe Feinstein reminded followers of the prohibited
status of cannabis under Jewish law, and how the herb prevents the faithful from
praying and studying the Torah. Other modern rabbis hold a contrasting view. Some are
totally on board with medicinal cannabis and even state that the herb holds a kosher
status during Passover.
Much like Judaism, Christians hold differing views when it comes to weed.
More conservative denominations, including Orthodox, Catholic, and some Protestant
churches, denounce the use of cannabis. However, other Protestant branches support the
use of medical marijuana, including the Presbyterian Church, the United Church of
Christ, and the Episcopal Church. Some scholars also claim that the Bible indirectly

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mentions cannabis: “Behold, I have given you every plant yielding seed that is on the
face of the earth, and every tree with seed in its fruit. You shall have them for food”.
Some academics that study scriptures have taken the pro-cannabis argument one step
further. Based on the kaneh bosem claim, they make the argument that Jesus and his
disciples used cannabis as an ingredient in their healing ointment.
Although cannabis played a peripheral role in religions of the past, modern
spiritual systems have made weed the theological centrepiece. The emerging religion of
Cantheism uses the herb as a sacrament to cultivate community and connection.
Founded by cannabis activist Chris Conrad in 1996, Cantheism lacks dogma, only has
loose rituals and codes, and merges marijuana and spirituality. A Cantheist service looks
like this: Participants meet on a Sunday afternoon, everyone brings some flower to
share, and the altar features a live plant and some hemp twine. To kickstart the
ceremony, attendees sit in a circle and speak the creed. The leader of the ceremony
declares: “I appreciate Cannabis Hemp as a sacrament I use to connect me with my
community and with myself”, to which the participants reply: “Therefore, we share it in
thanksgiving and deep respect for its resinous powers”.
Cannabis and Cosmetic
CBD is, without question, becoming increasingly popular in all kinds of
products. The active ingredient comes from marijuana and has enormous therapeutic
potential, and is now gaining traction in the cosmetics industry, too.
Cannabis sativa is the botanical name for marijuana, and hemp. The difference
between the two is the cannabinoid content:
• Marijuana: contains THC (psychotropic) and variable amounts of cannabidiol.
• Hemp: does not contain THC and contains traces of cannabidiol. This last compound
is what gives it cosmetic properties.
Cannabidiol acts as an adaptogenic on the skin, meaning it increases the body’s
ability to adapt to environmental factors and prevent any damage caused by them. This
explains the imminent use of CBD in cosmetics.
This molecule binds to different receptors found at different levels of the skin
involved in maintaining skin homeostasis. Various cannabinoids bind to these receptors,
including CBD, helping to regulate different epidermal processes.
Connabis and Clothes
For thousands of years people have been looking for the best kinds of materials
from which to make long-lasting, strong clothes. When this started, people wanted

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natural fabrics that didn’t need too much work put into them, but as the years went by
people began making synthetic materials that gave much better results. A few years ago
it was discovered that natural materials could produce high quality clothes, which is
why nowadays you can find many more items of clothing made from hemp.
This decision is usually made due to how much easier it is to work with hemp
than other kinds of materials and it’s also much easier to mass-produce. Although
clothes made out of hemp are light, they’re extremely resistant and hold up extremely
well over time, which is why clothes that get a lot of use or fabric items that hold weight
like backpacks are more likely to be made out of hemp.
Apart from clothes, hemp can be used to make a whole myriad of products; it
can be used to substitute linen, making for a material which air can pass through easily,
making it perfect for humid areas or areas with high temperatures. It can also be used to
make suede products like pyjamas, towels or jackets which keep you warm but also dry
due to hemp’s absorption qualities.
One of the most peculiar products made with hemp is hemp jeans; if woven
correctly, hemp can create an extremely similar texture to jeans, which is much easier to
make than traditional jeans.
Clothes and materials made with hemp have a series of unique characteristics:
• Hemp doesn’t wear out, in fact it gets better after time; clothes made with
hemp will become softer and more adjustable.
• Hemp is antibacterial, just like the plants that it comes from.
• Fire resistant. Hemp puts up with heat and fire better than other materials,
taking much longer to actually catch fire, making it perfect for household materials like
bed sheets.
Clothes made from hemp:
Finding products made with hemp is becoming an every-day occurrence now,
and there are companies that specialize in using hemp for textile purposes. Some of the
items of clothing you might find are:
• Nike Cannabis Shoes: This famous sports brand has put a brand new pair of
shoes on the market; they’re completely made out of hemp and marijuana themed, and
you can get them for about 100 euros.
• The Naturellement Chanvre brand sells all sorts of hemp products, like their
amazing jeans that follow in Levi’s footsteps, as the first ever pair of Levi’s were made
out of hemp.

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 • Work shoes: Many shoes that workers in Spain use are still made out of hemp
to this day due to their strength and resistance.

Spanish law and legislation:

Regarding the Spanish legal system on cannabis. Nowadays, Spain considers this
substance as illegal, penalizing its consumption and sale. This is legally reflected on the
article 368 of the Penal Code, which states how “those who carry out acts of cultivation,
elaboration or trafficking, or in any other way promote, favour or facilitate the illegal
consumption of toxic drugs, narcotics or psychotropic substances, or possess them for
those purposes, will be punished with prison sentences of three to six years and a fine
from as much to three times the value of the drug that is the object of the crime in the
case of substances or products that cause serious damage to health, and imprisonment
from one to three years and a fine from as much to double in the other cases”. The
penalization of the consumption or sale would depend on the grade of purity the drug is,
making the penalty even higher. Moreover, it is necessary to differentiate between these
two concepts:
1. Illegal consumption: this, refers to the consume of the illegal object, attempting
against the public health. Formally, is also understood as the “opposed to
medical or therapeutic consumption and scientific research, which are the only
ones allowed by Spanish legislation”. (Molina Mansilla, 2006)
2. Possession of substances: with this concept, is necessary to determine if that
possession was to sell those substances or whether it was for auto consumption.
Both ideas need to be proven. (Molina Mansilla, 2006).
3. According to the infraction:
Noxiousness of the
Cases substance Penalty of prison Penalty fee
General (no Serious damage From 3 to 6 years. From the value of
aggravation or (cocaine, heroin, the drug to triple.
attenuation) ecstasy, etc.).
Not serious damage From 1 to 3 years. From the value of
(ex: cannabis). the drug to double.
specific attenuated Serious damage From 1 year and a
(due to the minor (cocaine, heroin, half to 3 years minus From half the value
nature of the event ecstasy, etc.). one day. of the drug to its
or personal Not serious damage From 6 months to 1 value
circumstances) (ex: cannabis). year minus one day.

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aggravated specific Serious damage From 6 years and
(large quantities, (cocaine, heroin, one day to 9 years. From the value of
adulterated or ecstasy, etc.). your drug to four
mixed substances, Not serious damage From 3 years and times its value
in educational (ex: cannabis). one day to 4 years
centres, to minors, and a half.
etc.).
Criminal Serious damage
organization (only (cocaine, heroin, From 9 to 12 years. From the value of
participants) ecstasy, etc.). your drug to four
Not serious damage From 4 years and a times its value
(ex: cannabis). half to 10 years.
Criminal Serious damage
organization (cocaine, heroin, From 12 to 18 years. From the value of
(bosses, managers, ecstasy, etc.). your drug to four
and Not serious damage From 10 to 15 years. times its value
administrators) (ex: cannabis).

(Dosis mínimas psicoativas, Infracciones y Sanciones por tráfico o consumo ilegales

de drogas en España, s.f.)

4. Sanctions: possession of drugs inside the Spanish Legal system isn’t considered
as a crime but it involves administrative sanctions that go from the 600 to
30.000€. (Dosis mínimas psicoativas, Infracciones y Sanciones por tráfico o
consumo ilegales de drogas en España, s.f.). Knowing this, several conditions
involve economic sanction.
a. “The illicit consumption or possession of toxic drugs, narcotics, or
psychotropic substances, even if they were not intended for trafficking,
in places, roads, public establishments or collective transport, as well as
the abandonment of the instruments or other effects used for this purpose
in the places. When the offenders in the matter of consumption or
possession are minors, the penalty of a fine may be suspended, first and
extinguished, later, if they submit voluntarily and without abandoning it
to treatment or rehabilitation, if necessary, or to re-education activities.
(Dosis mínimas psicoativas, Infracciones y Sanciones por tráfico o
consumo ilegales de drogas en España, s.f.).”
b. “The transfer of people, with any type of vehicle, in order to facilitate
their access to toxic drugs, narcotics or psychotropic substances,

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 provided that it does not constitute a crime.” (Dosis mínimas psicoativas,
Infracciones y Sanciones por tráfico o consumo ilegales de drogas en
España, s.f.).
c. “The execution of acts of illicit planting and cultivation of toxic drugs,
narcotics or psychotropic substances in places visible to the public, when
they do not constitute a criminal offence.” (Dosis mínimas psicoativas,
Infracciones y Sanciones por tráfico o consumo ilegales de drogas en
España, s.f.).
Comparing other legal penalizations around the world we can see how North Korea
doesn’t exercise a legal repercussion on the consumption and sale of it. But Spain finds
an exception in its legislation since Barcelona is the only city in the Spanish territory
that has clubs were cannabis is consumed. These clubs are defined as “noncommercial
organizations of users who get together to cultivate and distribute enough cannabis to
meet their personal needs without having to turn to the black market”. This promotes
transparency regarding what the user is consuming, since they cultivate their own. The
members of the club pay a membership to earn the right to consume cannabis. This
concept is born due to the lack of clear regulation. (Barriuso Alonso, 2011). Also, in
Madrid there are stores that sell products that contain CBC since that component
doesn’t produce psychoactive effects. We can find products such as cookies, brownies,
chocolate…etc. (FOOD, s. f.). Therefore, we can find how these products are not
considered illegal under the eye of the Spanish legal system. Legislation needs to put a
clear penalization or regulation of these places.

Legalization in other countries

International laws specify that cannabis cultivation, supply, and possession should be
permitted solely for medical and scientific objectives. Typically, owning the substance
for personal use should be a criminal offense to discourage its use, and many countries
impose jail time as a penalty. Nevertheless, in recent times, certain jurisdictions have
reduced the severity of their sanctions for cannabis users, and some have authorized its
supply, offering us opportunities to examine various regulatory systems and their
effects. Policy debates are complicated by contradictory assertions such as
decriminalization or legalization, medical or recreational usage, policy success or
failure, and this page aims to shed light on some of these issues.

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 Although international laws require nations to impose criminal sanctions for the
distribution of drugs for non-medical purposes, some areas are making exemptions. The
Netherlands has allowed a system of cannabis supply to exist illegally but with
tolerance since the 1970s. In California, 'medical marijuana' was made legal in 1996
through a popular vote, to treat symptoms like chronic pain. Since there is no objective
measure for pain, public access to legal smokable cannabis has become a mere
formality. In Europe, decriminalisation and harm reduction policies implemented since
the late 1990s have had less negative effects than anticipated. During the 2008
economic recession, law enforcement budgets were cut. In June 2011, the Global
Commission on Drug Policy proposed that countries make adjustments to the legal
regulation of certain types of drugs that can be legalized. In 2012, as medical cannabis
became available in 18 US states, Colorado and Washington passed laws to allow
recreational use of cannabis. The purpose of such legalization is to combat drug
trafficking. Fully legalized marijuana today only in two countries: Uruguay and Canada.
(EMCDDA, 2019)
In 2013, Uruguay passed a law on state regulation of the marijuana market. Only
official bodies can sell cannabis in the country, and only persons over the age of 18 who
have registered in a special database can buy cannabis. Foreign tourists, unlike the
Netherlands, are prohibited from buying and using cannabis.
The main goal of the Uruguayan government was to kill the black market - to offer
the population the best product at a lower price, excluding low-quality drugs from
people's lives. For this purpose, the government of Uruguay allowed two companies to
grow two tons of hemp per year.
 Pharmacy prices for 1 gram of marijuana were set at $1.3, which is cheaper than
the dealer. Thus, the authorities planned to deprive drug traffickers of income in
the amount of about $ 7 million a year.
 Other ways to legally acquire the drug are to grow it yourself (up to six plants)
or join a club where people grow marijuana together.
From 2001 to 2018, the medical use of marijuana was allowed in Canada - since
2018 it has been completely allowed. Citizens over 18 years old can buy and store (up
to 30 g). Even before legalization, Canada was one of the world's top-consuming
countries, with an estimated black market of cannabis worth €4 billion. (Prunkov, 2022)
As a result, a huge market for legal marijuana has emerged in the country - now
Canadian manufacturing companies receive from $88 million to $601 million a year.
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 In general, Europe is more 420-friendly than Asia and Africa. But there are
exceptions, and not every European country has legalized or decriminalized cannabis
for medical or recreational use.
Partial marijuana use is legal in 35 countries: USA, Mexico, Paraguay, Brazil, Chile,
Belize, Ecuador, Jamaica, Colombia, Argentina, Georgia, Venezuela, Trinidad and
Tobago, Bolivia, Spain, Portugal, Netherlands, Belgium, UK, Germany, Czech
Republic, Malta, Luxembourg, Cambodia, Australia, Croatia, Austria, Greece, Cyprus,
India, Nepal, Rwanda, Norway, Ghana and Slovenia. (Prunkov, 2022)
19 countries allow the use of cannabis exclusively for medical purposes: Panama,
Peru, Israel, Turkey, Finland, Denmark, Italy, Zambia, New Zealand, Macedonia,
Poland, Switzerland, Zimbabwe, Rwanda, Lesotho, Thailand, Morocco, Lebanon and
Russia. (Prunkov, 2022)

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Economic abuse

16
Advantages and consequences on citizens

Marijuana possesses both beneficial and detrimental properties. It can assist in easing
chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting, as well as alleviate persistent pain.
However, when utilized inappropriately, marijuana can be hazardous. For instance, it
can result in impaired cognitive function and hinder the capacity to comprehend and
execute complicated duties, as well as trigger anxiety.
Medical marijuana has been suggested to provide various potential health benefits,
including relief from nausea, spasticity, appetite loss, and chronic pain. Studies indicate
that marijuana can significantly decrease nausea and vomiting induced by chemotherapy
and relieve pain and spasticity related to multiple sclerosis. Additionally, marijuana can
help manage appetite loss associated with HIV/AIDS and certain types of cancers, as
well as alleviate neuropathic pain caused by nerve damage. (Morrow, 2023)
Advocates of medical marijuana argue that it is a safer alternative to other
medications used for pain management. For example, some people opt to use it instead
of opioids which are highly addictive and not typically recommended for long-term use
in treating chronic pain. Medical marijuana can be administered in various ways,
including cannabidiol oil (CBD), topical pain relief treatments, edibles, and other non-
smoking methods. Furthermore, research has identified specific compounds within
cannabis, such as CBD, that can provide treatment benefits without causing the
psychoactive effects associated with THC. (Morrow, 2023)
Moreover, medical marijuana is a natural remedy that has been utilized for centuries,
producing favorable results.
For:
 Legalising marijuana for recreational use helpfully regulates a safe drug without
increasing potential negative consequences.
 Legalising recreational marijuana would end costly and often racist enforcement
of marijuana laws and weaken the illegal marijuana market.
 Legalising marijuana for recreational use boosts the economy by creating new
tax revenue and jobs. (Britannica, 2023)
Against:
 Legalising marijuana for recreational purposes comes at a significant societal
cost.

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  Legalising marijuana for recreational use dramatically increases plant growth,
which is bad for the environment.
 Legalising marijuana for recreational use creates a "Big Marijuana" industry
while encouraging the sale and consumption of illegal marijuana. (Britannica,
2023)
A negative consequence of cannabis use is long-term cognitive impairment, which
affects young people in the first place, since their brains are still in the process of active
development. This is confirmed, in particular, by an analysis of ten meta-studies led by
Canadian scientists, which was published in the journal Addiction. (Morrow, 2023)
Individuals who are against the legalization of marijuana highlight the potential
health hazards associated with the drug, such as memory problems, impaired cognitive
function, lung damage, addiction, and increased risk of accidents. Continuous usage of
marijuana can significantly impact short-term memory and thinking abilities, while
smoking marijuana or tobacco can damage lung tissue and potentially increase the risk
of lung cancer. Additionally, marijuana is known to carry a risk of abuse and addiction,
and its usage can impair driving skills and lead to car accidents. (Morrow, 2023)
Although expert reviews of current research on marijuana have been conducted,
further studies are required to determine the full extent of its benefits and drawbacks. In
addition, many obstacles exist in controlling the quality and dosing of cannabis with the
legally available resources that researchers have.

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Ethical point of view
Having known the consequences of the consumption of cannabis. We can conclude how
from an ethical point of view; the debate of this topic is very diverse. Opinions on
whether it should be legalized or not are frequently. But it is important to know how
society is changing, new values are added, and we can’t maintain the same legislation
from decades ago when society isn’t the same as before. Therefore, cannabis
consumption can be used both from a recreative and a medical use, by the user knowing
the consequences it brings. This applies to other substances that are legal, for example
alcohol or tobacco. Both substances that are consumed from a very young age in Spain
(Fernández Abaitua, 2018). However, there are also common prescription drugs that are
abused when there is no control over them, the most common ones are lorazepam and
diazepam, used for battling anxiety and stress, still, but when used incorrectly, many
users can become dependent on them. («Tranquilizantes: Benzodiacepinas», 2019). The
side effects of benzodiazepines include: “drowsiness, sedation, decreased abilities,
psychomotor disorders, confusion, muscular fatigue, anterograde amnesia, vision
changes, headache, confusion, depression, weakness, hangover effect (wobbles),
nightmares, or cross tolerance (alcohol)”. (Ana López Cabrera, 2017). Having known
this, the legalization of cannabis is accessible. It is very difficult to supress the
consumption of drugs, in this case cannabis, therefore, depanelize its consumption
would regulate what people consume, having safe places to access to this substance.
(Fernández Abaitua, 2018).

From an ethical perspective, there are contrary opinions as cannabis can lead to an
addiction, but consumed properly can bring a recreative time, like alcohol. Not
everyone who consumes a beer while eating is an alcoholic as not everyone who
consumes cannabis in any form of it is an addict. The main arguments for this
legalization are “that so the commercialization of drugs would be more controlled, and
States could obtain a large amount of funds through the obtaining taxes on currently
illegal substances. This model is based on the defense of the rights of autonomy and
freedom of citizens when deciding to whether or not they want to consume these
substances.” (Fernández Abaitua, 2018). This would create respect and society would
learn to live towards this drug. This doesn’t mean consumption would accelerate.

19
But, from a philosophical perspective, following the theory of consequentialism “bets
on the option generate the greatest possible good and for the greatest number of people,
that is, to know which of the two options, to legalize or not to legalize, is the correct
one, we will have to pay attention to the consequences of both decisions or actions. On
the one hand, the decision to legalize drugs. According to the arguments presented in
the immediately preceding section, it would make sense regarding the improvement of
security, distrust, and the disappearance of people's fear, especially those who reside in
countries where drug trafficking is extremely dangerous.” (Fernández Abaitua, 2018).

Having concluded this, is important to the governments acknowledge what implies the
legalization of cannabis and users being warned about the consequences cannabis
involves.

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Conclusion

21
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