Baptista-Leite Ricardo, Ploeg Lisa
Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences. Maastricht University. Maastricht. The Netherlands; Instituto de Ciências da Saúde. Universidade Católica Portuguesa. Lisboa. Portugal.
Instituto de Ciências da Saúde. Universidade Católica Portuguesa. Lisboa. Portugal.
Acta Med Port. 2018 Feb 28;31(2):115-125. doi: 10.20344/amp.10093.
Recently, the world has seen examples of the legalization of cannabis for recreational purposes. Due to the diversity of experiences in progress, it is urgent to analyze the impacts of this legalization, from a public health perspective. Therefore, this article aims to review the accumulated knowledge in the states and countries where the use of cannabis is legal and to ponder over the relevance of starting a similar path towards legalization in Portugal, thus supporting political decisions to be properly informed and evidence-based.
An extensive literature review was performed using databases and scientific journals, such as PubMed, as well as the search of institutional documentation, including the EMCDDA and SICAD.
The gathered information provided insights and enabled assessment of (1) the acute and chronic effects of cannabis use on health, (2) the Portuguese situation related to cannabis and (3) the processes and lessons learned after the legalization of cannabis in other countries or states. Given the above, and according to the data presented, the authors argue for a safe and responsible strategy towards the legalization of cannabis use in Portugal. In accordance, a set of concrete proposals are presented.
From a public health perspective, it is assumed that the interest of this proposal is to reduce the problematic use of cannabis, to effectively fight against illicit drug trafficking and drug-related crime, as well as health promotion and prevention of addictions and other adverse health impacts. This article reveals that the effects of legalization might, contrary to general beliefs, generate positive results with respect to these aims, given that there will be greater control on the market, price, quality, and information - to name a few - if implementation occurs with proper consideration and definition.
The debate on the responsible and safe legalization of cannabis use in Portugal should be open and promoted, based on a public health perspective.
最近，全球出现了大麻用于娱乐目的合法化的例子。鉴于目前进展情况的多样性，从公共卫生角度分析这种合法化的影响迫在眉睫。因此，本文旨在回顾大麻使用合法化的州和国家所积累的知识，并思考葡萄牙开启类似合法化道路的相关性，从而为政治决策提供充分信息并以证据为依据提供支持。
使用数据库和科学期刊（如PubMed）进行了广泛的文献综述，并搜索了包括欧洲药物和药物成瘾监测中心（EMCDDA）及葡萄牙毒品信息与协调系统（SICAD）在内的机构文件。
收集到的信息提供了见解，并有助于评估：（1）大麻使用对健康的急性和慢性影响；（2）葡萄牙与大麻相关的情况；（3）其他国家或州大麻合法化后的过程及经验教训。基于上述情况，并根据所呈现的数据，作者主张在葡萄牙对大麻使用合法化采取安全且负责任的策略。相应地，提出了一系列具体建议。
从公共卫生角度来看，该提议的目的是减少大麻的问题性使用，有效打击非法毒品贩运和与毒品相关的犯罪，以及促进健康和预防成瘾及其他不良健康影响。本文表明，与普遍看法相反，合法化的影响可能会在这些目标方面产生积极结果，前提是在实施时进行适当考虑和界定，从而对市场（如价格、质量和信息等）进行更好的管控。
应基于公共卫生视角，开启并推动关于葡萄牙大麻使用负责任且安全合法化的辩论。
