International Journal of Molecular Evolution and Biodiversity, 2025, Vol.15, No.1, 51-63 http://ecoevopublisher.com/index.php/ijmeb 59 8 Legalization Movements Worldwide 8.1 Overview of global shifts in cannabis legislation The global landscape of cannabis legislation has undergone significant transformations over the past decade. Countries around the world are increasingly adopting various forms of cannabis liberalization, including decriminalization, medicalization, and full legalization for recreational use. This shift is driven by a combination of economic, social, and medical factors, as well as a growing recognition of the failures of prohibitionist policies. In North America, Canada and several U.S. states have been at the forefront of this movement. Canada legalized recreational cannabis in October 2018, aiming to minimize associated harms and redirect profits from criminal enterprises (Rotermann, 2020). Similarly, U.S. states like Colorado and Washington have established legal markets for non-medical cannabis, despite these actions contravening international drug conventions (Room, 2014). These pioneering efforts have set precedents that other jurisdictions are beginning to follow. Internationally, Uruguay was the first country to fully legalize cannabis, and other nations are exploring similar paths. The evolving legal status of cannabis is not only a domestic issue but also has significant international implications, challenging existing drug control treaties and prompting discussions on the need for their revision (Room, 2014). 8.2 Economic, social, and medical drivers behind legalization The push for cannabis legalization is multifaceted, with economic, social, and medical drivers playing crucial roles. Economically, the potential to generate substantial tax revenues and create new industries has been a significant motivator. For instance, proponents of legalization in Canada highlighted the potential to eradicate the black market, improve quality and safety control, and increase tax revenues (Bahji and Stephenson, 2019). Socially, the movement towards legalization is often framed within the context of social justice. The historical enforcement of cannabis prohibition has disproportionately affected marginalized communities, leading to calls for reparative measures. Legalization efforts are seen as a way to address these injustices, although there is ongoing debate about whether current policies are sufficient to achieve true social equity (Koram, 2022). Medically, the recognition of cannabis's therapeutic potential has been a major driver of legalization. Evidence suggests that cannabinoids can be effective for various medical conditions, prompting the adoption of medical cannabis laws in many jurisdictions (Hall et al., 2019). However, the public health implications of widespread cannabis use remain a concern, with studies highlighting both potential benefits and risks (Hall et al., 2019). 9 Current Challenges and Controversies 9.1 Legal, ethical, and health-related controversies surrounding cannabis use The legalization and liberalization of cannabis laws have sparked significant debate and controversy across various domains, including legal, ethical, and health-related aspects. The rapid changes in cannabis regulations globally, with many countries moving towards decriminalization, medicalization, and even full legalization, have led to a complex landscape of cannabis use and its implications (Sevigny et al., 2023). One of the primary legal and ethical concerns revolves around the regulation of cannabis production and sale. Different jurisdictions have adopted varied approaches, which have influenced both medicinal and recreational use. For instance, the regulation of medicinal cannabis has shown mixed results in terms of effectiveness and public health outcomes, with some studies indicating potential benefits while others highlight risks such as increased road crashes and other harms (Hall et al., 2019). Health-related controversies are particularly prominent, as the long-term effects of cannabis use remain a subject of ongoing research. While some evidence suggests potential medicinal benefits, there are also significant concerns about adverse health effects, including dependency, mental health issues, and the impact on cognitive development, especially among younger users. The lack of robust, high-quality systematic research further complicates the understanding of these outcomes, highlighting the need for more comprehensive studies to inform policy and public health strategies (Sevigny et al., 2023).
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