Legalization of cannabis would increase problems, says PM
Cannabis is a psychoactive drug, the legalization of which would lead to an increase in use, and then in turn to larger problems, Prime Minister Taavi Rõivas said.
“If we ponder on the consequences of legalizing the drug, then any logic would dictate that the drug will be used more in society. It would be more widely available and use would probably increase,” Rõivas told ERR radio.
He said he read a number of studies when serving as the social affairs minister, which say that very often cannabis users cross over to more serious drugs.
“This creates even deeper addiction and brings with it side-effects associated with drugs use: crime and tragedies in personal lives appear. It builds up to the moment a person becomes a chain of reactions and can no longer think about anything other than where to get the next high,” Rõivas said.
He said he has spoken to those who have conquered addiction, adding that they have told him how they never wish to use drugs again. Rõivas said that sadly, many still fall back on old habits.
“Even if cannabis on its own is not a great problem, it's case is not unattached from others. The majority of fentanyl addicts have began with cannabis, studies show,” he said.
Activists have recently petitioned politicians to legalize cannabis. Politicians have remained largely silent or against the legalization.
Editor: J.M. Laats