La Marihuana

Step 1: The Marihuana (Drug Legalization)
Legality of cannabis or cannabis legal regulation, regarding the use of cannabis as a drug has been and is the subject of debate and controversy for decades. Virtually all countries have laws regarding the cultivation, possession, sale and consumption of cannabis. The non-psychoactive (e.g. fiber and seeds) are legal in many countries and theauthorities can give them license to grow oriented such purposes. The grass, however, is a controlled substance in most of the world, although there are exceptions for medical reasons. The failure of prohibitionist policies and enforcement against drug trafficking has led to world figures to request changes to their regulación.1
Leaders encourage governments to "experiment" with legal models that allow"undermine" the power of organized crime while ensuring the safety and health of citizens. This recommendation would apply to cannabis, which are already taking some steps towards decriminalization, including the USA.

"The good news is that policies aimed at regulating [which is not the same as legalization] and decriminalization work," says the boss of Virgin, Richard Branson. It is "remove thepower from the hands of organized crime," he says.

The signatories of the report riveted that “we must respect” human rights abusers, “treating them as patients, not criminals, “say Branson. "Many are victims," the report stresses. It is considered that current policies "encourage violence and organized crime."

The UN says the committee, should guide this debate, and to give cohesion to theactions of countries. And although welcomes the change in tone of the administration Barack Obama presiding and openness to alternatives, asks that the new rhetoric is translated into real reform and use his influence to add to other countries.
Experiences of legalization

- The 'coffee shop'. In the Netherlands is tolerated retailing and consumption of cannabis in coffee shops andspecialized. Some cities have taken steps to limit access to the neighbors and slow tourism attracted by this drug.

- The joint therapy. In the U.S. several state governments, including California, have regulated the sale of marijuana under medical supervision. This has given rise to some legal cannabis industry, which is prescribed for a wide range of ailments. However, the legalization of recreationaluse in California was raised through a referendum but did not get a majority.

- Heroin as a drug. Several countries, such as Switzerland and the Netherlands, dispense a controlled heroin (injected, oral or inhaled) drug addicts who have failed other treatments such as methadone. In Spain we study the oral expand in the near future.
The laws are contemplating penalties for trafficking,cultivation or possession for personal use. The severity of penalties varies by country. Netherlands is the only European Union country which legally allows the sale of marijuana and its derivatives in licensed premises called coffee shops.
In countries that are penalized, the police intercepted or confiscated illegal shipments being transported as contraband, and even small amounts can be held for ownconsumption.
In some other countries (e.g. Canada) is beginning to recognize the medical use of cannabis possession apart from "normal".
United States
In the United States, August 12, 1930 was created the "Federal Bureau of Narcotics" under the direction of Harry J. Ansliger. This department created laws to criminalize the transportation, possession and consumption of marijuana. One such lawwas the "marihuana Tax Act" in 1937. This law was not directed to the use of medical marijuana for recreational use only. But this law made it difficult to use medical marijuana for the large number of papers that were required to physicians they would prescribe to their patients.
It recalled the bold move of presidential candidate George McGovern in 1972 to repeal the criminalization of...