A Dutch Perspective on Cannabis Normalization: Testing the Limits of the Concept

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1 A Dutch Perspective on Cannabis Normalization: Testing the Limits of the Concept Dirk J. Korf IHRA 21st International Conference April Liverpool

2 Normalization as Social Process The Case of Cannabis Socio-demographic profile: normal people Vast majority is student or has a job Patterns of use Largely recreational and selective use (frequency, time, setting) Most users stop; vast majority without treatment De-ideologized & Less distinctive value Only one of many aspects of lifestyle and identity Friends with non-users and vice versa

3 Terminology (Collins Cobuild English Dictionary) When you normalize a situation or when it normalizes, it becomes normal. If people, groups, or governments normalize relations or ties or when relations or ties normalize, they become normal or return to normal. Something that is normal is usual and ordinary, in accordance with what people expect. A normal person is generally healthy in body and mind, without any major defects or problems. Normalcy is a situation in which everything is normal. Normality is a situation ion which everything is normal.

4 Competing Perspectives on Drug Use Van de Wijngaart (1991) Dimension Deterrence Normalization CORE VALUE Effect of drugs on users Effect of use on society POLICY Elimination of all use solves problems Addiction and problems caused by drug itself Breakdown of order; drugs threaten society Punitive, prohibition, mass prevention campaigns Elimination of all use intensifies problems Social meaning. Societal response causes problems Criminalised society + erosion of civil liberties Decriminalisation; narrowing gap users - others; avoid sterotype and stigma View of opposition Escapist, unrealistic, overpermissive Simplistic; denial of social problems

5 Towards A Normalization of Drug Problems ( Drug Policy in Motion, 1985) Stressed the need for a gradual process of integration of the drug phenomenon in our societies which means that we should take a more business-like (practical) view regarding the drug problem. This process could be called the normalization of the drug phenomenon. To that end we must stress the pragmatic aspects of drug policy over the moral aspects.

6 Normalization as Policy Normative concept 1970s: Decriminalization of cannabis 1980s: Dutch govt aimed at social integration of socially marginalized drug users into society Methadone from GP, syringe exchange 1990s: Pill testing at party s 1996: Heroin on medical prescription

7 Methadone Just A Medicine

8 Towards De-Normalization Policy 1996: reducing # coffeeshops, raising minimum age From then on: Stop pill testing at party s Longer sentences / mandatory treatment addicted repeat offenders No more open drug scenes But also: user rooms, care for homeless, drug use allowed in shelters Recent years: problematisation of cannabis In-treatment rate up

9 Local Bans on Smoking Cannabis in Public Space

10 Zero Tolerance At Dance Events (and in Clubs) Coffee shops allowed to sell 5 grams per person / occasion (day) Small amounts of cannabis may be confiscated at party s Dominant responses of users to zero-tolerance Use before entering the party Better hiding drugs Use drugs at private settings

Fight Against Marihuana Growers 5 000 6 000 sites dismantled per year 1,2 1,3 million plants per year EU: 15 000 seizures, 2.7 million plants in 2007 (EMCDDA, 2009 ; NL not included?

12 Fight Against Marihuana Growers sites dismantled per year 1,2 1,3 million plants per year EU: seizures, 2.7 million plants in 2007 (EMCDDA, 2009 ; NL not included?) Mostly fines and community service, but also more detained Pay for stolen electricity Evicted from appartment/house Forfeiture XXXXX Better hiding and displacement (waterbed) More involvement organized crime?

13 Price and Quality in Coffeeshops (THC Monitor Trimbos Institute, 2009) Price in Euro / Gram % THC

14 Trends in Last Year Cannabis Use years (EMCDDA, 2009)

15 Normalization: Policy vs. Social Process Normalization of cannabis use = social process rather independent from national drug policies Policy of de-normalization: Is deemed to dry up in moral rethoric when it comes to prevalence of cannabis use. However, it is likely to affect the organisation and structure of supply

Clarifying terminology

Introduction to law reform options: Clarifying terminology Simon Lenton PhD MPsych(clin) Room, R., Fischer, B., Hall, W., Lenton, S. and Reuter, P. (2010) Cannabis policy - moving beyond stalemate. New