The adverse health effects of cannabis are a source of contention in

debates about policies towards the drug. The evidence suggests that
cannabis can adversely affect some users, especially adolescents who
initiate use early and young adults who become regular users. These
adverse effects probably include increased risks of motor vehicle
crashes, the development of cannabis dependence, impaired respiratory
function, cardiovascular
disease, psychotic symptoms, and adverse outcomes of adolescent
development.
From policy perspective, possession of cannabis is illegal in most
countries and the drug is in Schedule IV, the most restrictive category, of
the Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs. However, possession of the
drug in small quantities has been decriminalized in many countries and
sub-national entities in several parts of the world (the Netherlands, the
US states of Colorado, Oregon, Alaska and Washington, US cities of
Portland and South Portland). Moreover, Uruguay became the first
nation in the world to legalize the sale, cultivation, and distribution of
cannabis, and the medicinal use of cannabis is legal in a number of
countries (e.g. Canada, the Czech Republic or Israel).
Cannabis policy has been usually framed as a choice between two views:
(1) either cannabis use is largely harmless to most users and so we
should legalize, or at the very least decriminalize its use; or (2) it harms
some of its users so we should continue to prohibit its use. Given the
magnitude and severity of the marijuana use in [COUNTRY], what
approach should be adopted? Client: The Government Council for
Drug Policy Coordination, [Country]