Reevaluation of the International Narcotics-Control System in light of Cannabis Legalizations

The International Narcotics control system has imposed strict drug control policies in order to achieve a drug free world. However, ineffectiveness of these polices besides economic, social and health costs make them hard to support. In the meantime, special characteristic of cannabis has steered countries to take a new approach. Colorado and Washington have legalized cannabis. Canada, Uruguay and some other US states, joined this process. On the contrary, international drug control agencies have accused these countries for violating drug conventions. Therefore, the main question of the present study is to investigate how international drug control system will face with the cannabis legalization in the named countries? Accordingly, the purpose of this study is to analyze the developments of the international drug control system following the implementation of legalization policy. In this research, using descriptive and analytical methods, we seek to answer the main question by examining the pro-legalization states approaches, the position of international drug control agencies and member states of the drug conventions, also the drug conventions provisions, as well as the existing legal solutions to remove accusation of violating the conventions. Findings show that despite the resistance of international drug agencies, pro-legalization states have not yet given up on this policy, and other countries may even align themselves with them and make a new order to control drugs. These issues will confirm the research hypothesis on the necessity to review the international drug control system in the light of cannabis legalization.