APO director discusses cannabis controversy and diversity
On Sunday 20th June 2021, Always Pure Organics’ Regional Director in Asia, Chikako Yoshida, joined a round table discussion on the subject of “Cannabis Controversy and Diversity: Is Drug Use a Crime?”. The discussion forms part of the Asian Criminology Society 12th Annual Conference (ACS2020) held by the Ryukoku Congress of Criminology 2021.
Professor Kimie Tsuchiyama of the Faculty of Law at Hosei University, acted as a moderator for the discussion. Mr. Takeshi Kato, a representative of Kizugawa d’Arc, raised issues on the drug policy in Japan based on his own experience as a former drug addict and his work experience at the rehabilitation site. The panels discussed these issues in light of their expertise and experience.
APO Asia Regional Director, Chikako Yoshida, a former counter-terrorism expert, spoke about the trends on the drug policy of each country and the United Nations. Regarding the UK cannabis law, she explained that it was a political decision for cannabis to be classified as a class B drug between 1928 and 2004. In the UK, possession of Class B drugs carries an unlimited fine, up to five years in prison, or both. From 2004 to 2009 cannabis was reclassified as a class C drug. Possession of a Class C drug still carries an unlimited fine but is only punishable by up to two years in prison; other class C drugs include, anabolic steroids, GHB and some tranquilisers. However, this slight easing of punishment for possession was short-lived as the classification for cannabis reverted to Class B in 2009.
Chikako also explained that the principle of UN drug policy has changed from punishment and social isolation, to health, welfare and human rights. She introduced the countries such as Morocco, Pakistan and Lebanon, who legalised cannabis cultivation for medical and industrial purposes and said that ”those countries see the cannabis industry as a new development project which attracts foreign currency and introduces alternative agriculture’.
The discussion collated a number of interesting insights into cannabis and its relationship with the law. The panel shared and explored their various views on cannabis in terms of medical, economic, and political trends both in Japan and other countries.
References:
https://www.ryukoku.ac.jp/nc/news/entry-8990.html
On Sunday 20th June 2021, Always Pure Organics’ Regional Director in Asia, Chikako Yoshida, joined a round table discussion on the subject of “Cannabis Controversy and Diversity: Is Drug Use a Crime?”. The discussion forms part of the Asian Criminology Society 12th Annual Conference (ACS2020) held by the Ryukoku Congress of Criminology 2021.
Professor Kimie Tsuchiyama of the Faculty of Law at Hosei University, acted as a moderator for the discussion. Mr. Takeshi Kato, a representative of Kizugawa d’Arc, raised issues on the drug policy in Japan based on his own experience as a former drug addict and his work experience at the rehabilitation site. The panels discussed these issues in light of their expertise and experience.
APO Asia Regional Director, Chikako Yoshida, a former counter-terrorism expert, spoke about the trends on the drug policy of each country and the United Nations. Regarding the UK cannabis law, she explained that it was a political decision for cannabis to be classified as a class B drug between 1928 and 2004. In the UK, possession of Class B drugs carries an unlimited fine, up to five years in prison, or both. From 2004 to 2009 cannabis was reclassified as a class C drug. Possession of a Class C drug still carries an unlimited fine but is only punishable by up to two years in prison; other class C drugs include, anabolic steroids, GHB and some tranquilisers. However, this slight easing of punishment for possession was short-lived as the classification for cannabis reverted to Class B in 2009.
Chikako also explained that the principle of UN drug policy has changed from punishment and social isolation, to health, welfare and human rights. She introduced the countries such as Morocco, Pakistan and Lebanon, who legalised cannabis cultivation for medical and industrial purposes and said that ”those countries see the cannabis industry as a new development project which attracts foreign currency and introduces alternative agriculture’.
The discussion collated a number of interesting insights into cannabis and its relationship with the law. The panel shared and explored their various views on cannabis in terms of medical, economic, and political trends both in Japan and other countries.
References:
https://www.ryukoku.ac.jp/nc/news/entry-8990.html


