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Drugs, Crime and Society > Lecture 4 : Regulating drugs: why do we have drug laws? > Flashcards

Lecture 4 : Regulating drugs: why do we have drug laws? Flashcards

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Sociology 101 flashcards
1
Q

What is the aim of drug control policies (in principle)?

(Don’t feel i need to learn but do need to understand)

A

Reducing number of users

Reducing number of people falling into bad habits

Reducing length those habits are maintained

Reducing the damage of drugs

Reducing the damage of drug trafficking

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2
Q

What is Prohibition
(Not on slides just useful to know and understand)

A

legal enforcement that bans the manufacture, storage, transportation, sale, possession, and use of certain substances, typically drugs or alcohol

(Banning it all)

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3
Q

What is the negative impact of drug prohibition?
(Don’t feel i need to learn but do need to understand)

A

Prohibition decreases the availability of drugs.

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4
Q

What are the consequential impacts of drug prohibition that might seem positive at a glance but have complex implications?
(Don’t feel i need to learn but do need to understand)

A

(+) risk for users (diluted, unsafe products)
(+) violence
(+) cost of enforcement
(+) people in prison (with little/no effect on supply)
(+) prices, less money for users
(+) risk of infectious diseases

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5
Q

What does legalisation of drugs entail in market societies?
What does legislation mean

A

allowing production, distribution and selling of drugs (as most of the goods in market societies)

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6
Q

How does the free market system affect drug production under legalisation?

A

companies can produce goods in large quantities and cheaply = + consumption (positive for books, but not bazookas or crack)

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7
Q

What are the potential benefits of legalising drugs in terms of costs associated with prohibition and if so what does it help?

A

Legalising drugs can reduce costs associated with prohibition, such as enforcement and maintaining prisons.

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8
Q

What are two factors involved in drug taking?
about choice

A

Personal choice and rationality.

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9
Q

What were some positive effects of alcohol prohibition in the US

(Alcohol banning)

A

Alcohol prohibition led to:

Reduction in deaths from cirrhosis of the liver (Reduction in Health)

No evidence of an overall increase in homicides

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10
Q

What were some negative effects of alcohol prohibition in the US?

(Alcohol banning)

A

Alcohol prohibition resulted in:

Empowerment of criminal organizations

Increased violence between criminal organizations

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11
Q

What happened to the retail price per gram of marijuana in Washington state after legalization?

A

The retail price per gram of marijuana decreased over time.

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12
Q

What is one anticipated effect of drug legalization on price and if so by how much?

A

Drug legalization may lead to a significant reduction in price, potentially dropping to as low as one-tenth of its current price. (1/10)

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13
Q

What changes in drug use environment might occur after legalization?

A

Legalization removes
legal risk and social disapproval while also increasing the availability of the drug.

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14
Q

How/what can we comaprare to understand the potential effects of drug legalization?

A

look at similar policies for other substances like tobacco and alcohol

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15
Q

What is a significant effect of cannabis legalization on law enforcement costs?

A

Cannabis legalization results in a drastic reduction in the cost of prosecuting cannabis offences.

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16
Q

What positive outcome is associated with cannabis legalization in terms of law enforcement?

A

Cannabis legalization leads to a reduction in negative outcomes related to cannabis arrests.

17
Q

Is cannabis legalization related to violence and crime?

A

Cannabis legalization is not strongly related to violence or crime

18
Q

What is the % of cannabis users purchase their cannabis from friends

A

Approximately 80% of cannabis users purchase their cannabis from friend

19
Q

Can regulation and taxes limit the cons of legalization

A

Yes, but only to a certain extent.

20
Q

what % of cannabis users receive cannabis for free?

A

Approximately 50% of cannabis users receive cannabis for free

21
Q

What effect does a reasonable tax have on prices?

A

Reasonable taxes prices below the illicit price

22
Q

What is the consequence of extremely high taxes on legalization?

A

Extremely high taxes Unable to kill illegal market

23
Q

What is Portugal’s approach to drug policy

What is legal
What isnt

A

In Portugal since 2001, possession of any drugs for personal use has not been a crime

But selling drugs is still illegal

24
Q

What can we learn from Portugal’s approach to drug policy

Consumption

Price

Quality

A

Consumption did not seem to have increased

Prices are the same

Drug quality/purity remains unchanged

25
Q

What country implemented Decriminalisation/Depenalisation

A

Portugal

26
Q

What does Decriminalization mean

(Not on lecture Slides)

A

is like a yellow light—it’s not fully legal, but it’s not heavily punished either. It’s more like a warning or a fine, similar to a traffic violation, rather than facing serious criminal consequences.

27
Q

Where is the ‘Grow your own’ model adopted?

And where is grow and give

A

In States like Colorado and Oregon (Both USA) and Uruguay (along with the commercial model),

and

Washington DC with ‘grow and give’ policies.

28
Q

What 2 countries have communal growing models?

A

Spain and Belgium

29
Q

What are the features of communal growing models?
(Communal together)
Operate as ..

A

allow sharing and trading among cooperative group members. They’re supposed to operate as non-profits.

30
Q

What are the pros and cons of communal growing models

A

Pro: can eliminate illicit market
Cons: covers/Masks for professional dealers, entrepreneurial

31
Q

What is the Dutch model regarding cannabis?

A

The Dutch model does not legalize cannabis but allows sales in coffee shops for up to 5 grams since 1975

32
Q

What remains illegal in the Dutch model?

A

Producing or importing cannabis is still a crime in the Dutch model

33
Q

What is the ‘backdoor problem’ associated with the Dutch model?

A

refers to the illegal production or importing of cannabis despite its legal sale in coffee shops

34
Q

Where are examples of the standard commercial model for cannabis?

A

Colorado and Washington are examples of the standard commercial model for cannabis.

35
Q

What is The Commercial model

A

Similar to Alcohol supply -
Taxes are substantial
No sales to minors
No limit on potency (Strength/effectiveness)

Drugs, Crime and Society (9 decks)

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