Chapter 11 + Lecture 10 Flashcards
What are the 3 legal responses to drugs outlined in the textbook?
- Prohibition
- Decriminalization
- Legalization
Drugs, the drug trade, and drug users are penalized under criminal law
Prohibition
What are the two types of prohibition? Briefly explain each.
De facto:
- prohibition exists in practices and polities but is not formally written into law
De jure:
- prohibition is written into law with particular sanctions (i.e., CDSA)
What are 2 advantages of prohibition?
- Reduces the number of substance users and overall consumption
- Defines moral boundaries and reinforces social norms
What are some disadvantages of prohibition?
- Increase in crime
- No quality control of substances
- Disproportionately affects particular groups
- Cost to taxpayers
- Diverts police resources
Continuing to prohibit trafficking and manufacturing but reducing or eliminating penalties for possession or use
Decriminalization
What are 3 advantages of decriminalization?
- Greater public support (compared to legalization)
- Less condoning of substance use (compared to legalization)
- Trafficking and manufacturing still prohibited
What are 3 disadvantages of decriminalization?
- Increased substance use
- Debate re: effectiveness in reducing individual and social harms
- Crime from drug trade remains
Like prohibition, legalization can come in the form of de facto and de jure. Give an example of each with regard to legalization.
De facto:
- technically illegal but purchase and sale are tolerated
- i.e., cannabis in the Netherlands
De jure:
- regulations written into law
- i.e., cannabis in Canada
What are the 3 types of legalization?
- Free market
- Limited distribution
- Medical
Every adult has the right to use and substances are produced and distributed like any other commodity (i.e., caffeine). What type of legalization is this?
Free market legalization
Age restrictions and regulated markets (i.e., alcohol, tobacco, and cannabis in Canada). What type of legalization is this?
Limited distribution legalization
Legal for medical purposes (i.e., cannabis and opioids in Canada). What type of legalization is this?
Medical legalization
What are 5 advantages of legalization?
- Removes disadvantages of prohibition
- Generates tax revenues and new employment opportunities
- Improved QoL of substance users
- Savings on law enforcement
- Less crime and corruption
What are 2 disadvantages of legalization?
- Uncertainty about effects
- Limited evidence for specific substances
