Social and public health dimensions of cannabis regulation and use

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Social and public health dimensions
of cannabis regulation and use

ABOUT THE PROJECT

In Slovenia, cannabis remains the most popular illegal drug despite its prohibition and its consumption steadily growing. The drug is easily accessible, and many users believe it is harmless. With growing calls for its legalization, understanding the public health and safety consequences of cannabis use is crucial. The primary goal of the project is to investigate the consequences of cannabis use on public health and safety.

The research team will (i) review relevant literature on cannabis use and its consequences, (ii) gather and analyze available data on public safety and drug-related crime in Slovenia and other countries with different regulatory frameworks related to cannabis, (iii) compare public health indicators in environments with different legal statuses of cannabis, (iv) conduct an comparative legal analysis of cannabis regulatory frameworks in selected EU countries, and (v) prepare the guidelines for the development of measures to reduce the social harm associated with drug abuse, in particular cannabis.

Challenges of the project include the existence of diverse legal frameworks, the recency of cannabis legalization, the hidden nature of cannabis use in criminalized settings, and difficulties in obtaining relevant data. Despite these challenges, the project will offer valuable insights, highlighting areas requiring cautious and informed policymaking. The analysis will contribute to a better understanding of cannabis’s effects on public health and safety, informing responsible legal regulation and harm reduction strategies in Slovenia.

Project Type: CRP

Project Code: V5-24044
Duration of the Project: 1.10.2024-30.9.2026

PROJECT LEADER AND CONSORTIUM PARTNERS

The project leader is the Institute of Criminology at the Faculty of Law in Ljubljana, and the National Institute of Public Health (NIJZ) is also participating in the project.

WORK PACKAGES

The project is divided into six work packages: (i) project management, (ii) criminological analysis of the impact of cannabis on public safety, (iii) analysis of public health indicators related to cannabis use, (iv) comparative legal analysis of cannabis regulation, (v) development of harm prevention and reduction frameworks, and (vi) dissemination of results. The work packages combine qualitative and quantitative approaches to provide a comprehensive overview of the legal, social, and health impacts of cannabis use. The project will produce scientific and conference papers, establish a project website, and develop harm reduction frameworks to ensure broad dissemination of the findings.

FINANCING

The targeted research project is funded by the Public Agency for Scientific Research and Innovation of the Republic of Slovenia (ARIS) and the Ministry of Health (MZ).