Norway Considers Legalizing Cannabis as Way to Fight Gang Crime

Arild Hermstad, leader of the Green Party, has proposed that Norway, a country known for its strict drug policy, follow the lead of more liberal countries and legalize cannabis. But the move is not motivated solely by a desire for liberalization – there are other considerations at play.

Cannabis legalization in Norway could change everything

Norway, a country with one of the lowest crime rates in the world, now faces a question that has already been answered in other parts of the world, from the United States to Canada: Can legalizing cannabis be an effective tool in fighting organized crime? Hermstad says yes.

His argument is simple, if controversial: If the state takes control of cannabis sales, as it has done with alcohol, it could effectively cut off a source of income for drug gangs. It’s a bold proposition, especially in a country where drugs have historically been seen as one of the greatest threats to society.

Hermstad is not alone in his efforts. While the Green Party and the Liberal Party have tried to push for similar reforms before, the debate is gaining momentum this time

Political storm is coming

But not everyone is ready for such changes. Hermstad and his supporters face strong resistance from the country’s two largest political forces, the Center Party and the Labor Party. For these parties, legalizing cannabis is a risk Norway should not take. Opponents fear that legalization could lead to an increase in cannabis consumption, which in turn could deepen the social problems Norway has been struggling with for years.

“ We cannot open the door to widespread drug use, especially among young people, ” says a senior Labour Party figure. But those fears are unfounded. Studies from other countries show that legalisation does not increase use by young people.

The voice of the young generation and social tensions

Despite the resistance of older generations, young Norwegians are starting to demand change more and more loudly. For them, legalizing cannabis is not just a matter of access to the substance, but above all a fight for the right to freedom of choice and common sense in drug policy.

They argue that state regulation could not only reduce crime, but also improve the quality of available products and facilitate access to education on the safe use of cannabis.

Steps towards medical cannabis: A first glimmer of hope

Regardless of the outcome of the current debate, Norway has already begun to take the first steps towards recognizing cannabis as a useful medicine. In February 2023, the first public meeting on access to medical cannabis was held in Oslo. This event was significant not only for its topic, but also for the wide range of participants – from politicians to doctors, patients and industry representatives.

The discussion was intense, but also full of hope. Patients who have been fighting for years for access to medical cannabis talked about the difficulties they encounter in contacts with the Norwegian health service. Although medical cannabis is legal in Norway, in practice it is almost unobtainable. Lack of knowledge among doctors, bureaucracy and mounting obstacles mean that many patients are forced to seek help on the black market.

This situation shows how much Norway needs reform. And while the current debate is mainly about recreational cannabis, it is clear that changes in drug policy could have a deeper and more comprehensive impact on society as a whole.

Will Norway dare to change?

Norway is now at a crossroads. On the one hand, strong resistance from conservative politicians and public concerns, on the other – increasingly loud calls for change and a growing awareness that current drug policy may not be adequate to modern realities. The future will tell whether the Norwegians will decide to take a step that has already brought mixed but largely positive results in other countries.

One thing is certain – the debate on legalizing cannabis in Norway is more than just a discussion about one drug. It is a discussion about the future of social policy, about freedom of choice and about how the state should approach problems that have been sidelined for years. Regardless of the outcome, Norway will certainly emerge from this debate changed – the only question is which way it will go.

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(Featured image by Maryan Ivasyk via Unsplash)

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First published in Fakty Konopne. A third-party contributor translated and adapted the article from the original. In case of discrepancy, the original will prevail.

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