The question:
Critically evaluate the suggestion that the use of stronger strains of cannabis (i.e. skunk) is a ‘new drug problem’ and explain the extent to which policy responses impact on its use.
The planning
Here are some things to think about/ensure you cover as you undertake this work:
- Explain the contemporary cannabis terrain in the UK and globally, including changes to product, market, production and law
- Outline UK cannabis policies
- The reclassification debacle
- The fact that the policing of cannabis means in practice it can be deprioritised/overlooked
- Outline historical and contemporary constructions of cannabis use (i.e. the latter suggests it is a new drug problem, in politics and particularly in the media)
- Provide an analysis of whether the changes constitute a ‘new drug problem’
- Undertake an analysis of whether the policy and policing responses have any impact on its use – good and/or bad
- This section could usefully make comparisons between UK areas that police cannabis with those that deprioritise, and countries who have prohibition versus those who have decriminalised.
