<\/p>\n
While the UN, overall, still supports prohibitionist drug policies, the general assembly showed a shifting perception. Many countries, including Mexico, Guatemala and Colombia, loudly advocated for reforming more humane drug policies, focusing on rehabilitation instead of criminalization.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n So what’s contributing to this swinging opinion worldwide?<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n [Click any of the section titles below to jump there]<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Cannabis has been a driving force in changing the conversation about the <\/span>War On Drugs<\/span><\/a>. <\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Despite being the most widely consumed and trafficked drug in the world, the U.N.\u2019s <\/span>2017 World Drug Report<\/span> was <\/span>unable to find evidence for a single cannabis overdose<\/b>. <\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n With news like that, it\u2019s increasingly difficult to criminalize the millions arrested every year for cannabis use if it\u2019s the planet’s least dangerous drug. Beyond this, many countries are seriously starting to look into the plant\u2019s medical applications and economic gains.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Despite what seems to be the beginning of cannabis\u2019 changing global perspective, there\u2019s a large gap between cannabis policies around the world.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Let\u2019s check out some of the varying approaches a few major countries around the globe are taking on cannabis.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Australia\u2019s federal government allows medical cannabis use<\/strong>. In 2017, their government made some sweeping changes to the previous medical cannabis program allowing more patients than ever access to the plant.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Earlier this year the federal government passed laws allowing legally authorized companies to import, store, and sell cannabis from other countries until enough can be produced domestically<\/b> to meet the medical demand.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n While recreational cannabis use isn\u2019t federally permitted, the country has a history of handling drug use with rehabilitation and harm reduction rather than mass incarceration and criminalization.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Politicians on both sides of the aisle in Australia have come out in favor of full legalization of weed, making Australia a hot country to watch when it comes to cannabis.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Justin Trudeau, Canada\u2019s liberal Prime Minister, was very vocal about his intent to legalize, regulate and tax cannabis on the campaign trail. Upon taking office, he fulfilled the promise to pass legislation doing just that, pledging to have the laws for a fully regulated cannabis market in place by mid-2018. <\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Canada\u2019s cannabis law will allow the federal government to collect licensing fees and tax legal cannabis sales. Adults will be able to have <\/span>up to 30 grams of cannabis on their person and grow up to four plants per household.<\/b> As of now, the law doesn\u2019t allow edibles or other product innovations we\u2019ve seen in here in the U.S. <\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Israel has been <\/span>the global leader in medical cannabis research<\/b> for decades<\/strong>, ever since an Israeli researcher first isolated THC, leading to the breakthrough discovery of the endocannabinoid system. <\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n The Israeli government legalized the use of medical cannabis for specific illnesses, going as far as using cannabis to treat their soldiers\u2019 PTSD. Their mmj stance has led to its decriminalization throughout the country. Recreational cannabis sales remain illegal. <\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n An emphasis on medical research could mean a lot of money for Israel\u2019s government. <\/span>Nearly $50 billion is expected to be spent on mmj research by 2025<\/span><\/a>\u2014<\/span>that\u2019s a lot of research money waiting to flood its institutions. With over 120 active clinical trials on autism, epilepsy and psoriasis, Israel could be responsible for foreseeable future\u2019s medical cannabis innovations. <\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n It\u2019s hard to think about cannabis without thinking about Jamaica\u2019s influence on the plant. Cannabis culture is historically heavily intertwined with this Caribbean island country, exporting musical stoner figureheads like Bob Marley, Peter Tosh, and Beenie Man. <\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n In 2015, Jamaica changed its drug laws to decriminalize small amounts of cannabis<\/strong>. Adults can carry to two ounces of cannabis on their person without arrest. The country also allows citizens to <\/span>grow up to five cannabis plants<\/b> per household. For those who practice the Rastafari faith, their cannabis consumption is protected under religious liberties by the Jamaican government. <\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Now visiting tourists don’t have to worry about being thrown in jail for taking a toke of the country’s cultural heritage. <\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\nWhat you'll learn in this post:<\/h2>\n
\n
Changing the World’s Cannabis Outlook<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Australia<\/strong><\/a><\/h2>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/getnugg.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/marijuana-australia-735-350-2-300x215.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\nCanada<\/a><\/strong><\/h2>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/getnugg.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/Canada-Cannabis-Flag-300x189.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\nIsrael<\/a><\/strong><\/h2>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/getnugg.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/israel.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\nJamaica<\/a><\/strong><\/h2>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/getnugg.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/jaimaca-weed-300x191.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\nThe United States of America<\/a><\/strong><\/h2>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/getnugg.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/USA-300x192.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n