Cannabis Legalisation: A Potential Lifeline or a Recipe for Risk?

As the troubling rise of synthetic drugs looms ever larger over society, one must ponder whether legalising cannabis could serve as a remedy. The discourse is deeply polarised; some tout the potential for cannabis to provide therapeutic benefits and diminish the black market, while others dismiss the idea as fundamentally flawed.

Avi Mohall, a karate instructor, observed the devastating toll that synthetic drugs exact upon young people.

“The situation is truly disheartening,” he asserted, drawing attention to how easily teenagers can access these substances.

“A youth aged 13 to 17 can readily procure synthetic drugs for a mere pittance.” He noted that a lack of recreational outlets plays a significant role in this alarming trend.

“Could cannabis legalisation help combat the trafficking of synthetic or even harder drugs?” he questioned, while emphasising the necessity for a more comprehensive examination of the topic.

“Even if cannabis is less toxic, that certainly doesn’t imply it’s safe for everyone to use for fun. We are in dire need of thorough investigations into cannabis consumption.”

Similarly, Vishnee Backory Dubessay, a business director, maintained that cannabis is not inherently harmful.

“Synthetic drugs are omnipresent, readily available in our streets, and if we do nothing, we might face an epidemic of dramatic proportions,” she cautioned.

For her, cannabis provides a natural alternative that has been proven beneficial in medical contexts, such as in treating epilepsy.

“There is ample medical evidence supporting its use,” she argues. “It tends to foster calmness, unlike the zombified state associated with harmful substances.”

Ashvin Gungaram, the head of the NGO AILES (Aid, Information, Liberty, Hope, and Solidarity), shared profound concerns about the increasing prevalence of synthetic drugs among young people in Mauritius.

“This is indeed alarming,” he asserts, emphasising the need for an in-depth assessment of the current system’s shortcomings before adopting new measures.

He highlighted the pressing issue of accessibility and low cost, which often leads young individuals to seek out even more dangerous substances.

According to Gungaram, legalising cannabis could serve as a partial yet significant solution to the pressing issue of smokable synthetic drugs.

“It could effectively undermine the trafficking of hard drugs and facilitate a regulated, safe alternative for those struggling with synthetic dependency,” he explained.

“Cannabis could act as a therapeutic support system, which is a crucial option we currently lack.”

Sauvilen Coodien from Poste-de-Flacq considered that legalisation could significantly curtail the influence of the black market.

He argued for establishing a solid regulatory framework for the cultivation and distribution of cannabis, which would diminish the power of criminal organisations that profit from selling more hazardous synthetic drugs.

“The effects of cannabis are generally milder and less dangerous when compared to many synthetic substances, which can provoke severe and unpredictable reactions,” he observed.

While acknowledging the fierce debates surrounding the legalisation of cannabis, Coodien contended that it might deter youth from turning to synthetic or hard drugs.

He stressed the importance of a well-defined legal framework and a strategic approach adapted to local realities.

This should include preventive measures, educational initiatives, family involvement, and strict public policies.

“The role of parental education is paramount, as it all begins at home. It’s essential to bolster community support structures while also providing psychological assistance to vulnerable youth,” he advocated.

“We must implement educational programmes at an early age.”

As this complex issue continues to evolve, the urgent calls for careful study, thoughtful consideration, and supportive frameworks resonate louder, prompting us to reflect: could cannabis legalisation open the door to a healthier society, or does it merely fan the flames of controversy?

The road ahead is fraught with uncertainty, yet the pleas of those directly impacted demand attention and urgent action.

Source: Defi Media