The impact of changing Cannabis laws on extradition
The most recent global report from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) indicates that cannabis was the most widely used drug globally in 2020, with 209 million people using it at least once in the twelve months prior to the survey.
We can find different laws that fall on cannabis, but their harshness depends on where we are. For example, in countries like Canada, it is fully legalized and regulated. However, if we go to Singapore, the penalties for consuming this drug are much harsher.
Little by little, these laws have been evolving, but not in all countries it is the same. Understanding how changes in cannabis laws affect extradition is therefore crucial to ensuring justice and the protection of human rights.
Background on extradition and Cannabis laws
You may be wondering what exactly extradition is. It is a process in which one country hands over a person convicted of a crime to another country that has requested custody. And cannabis plays an important role in these processes, as the laws are not the same everywhere.
Internationally, there has been a movement towards decriminalisation and legalisation of cannabis. Several US states have adopted laws allowing recreational use of cannabis, while others, such as the Netherlands, have maintained a policy of tolerance. But on the other side of the coin, in Asia and the Middle East, laws are often much stricter and harsher, leading to the death penalty.
Comparative analysis of extradition cases
Now that you have familiarised yourself with the concept of extradition, it is time to travel around the world a bit, learning about the cannabis situation in those places, from the strictest laws to the most severe.
Strict Cannabis laws and extradition
The first stop for this article is Singapore. This country is known for its strict anti-drug laws, including the death penalty for drug dealing. Another place where there are severe punishments when it comes to cannabis is the United Arab Emirates, where people can face lengthy prison sentences.
This strictly prohibitive legal environment creates conflicts when it comes to extraditing individuals for cannabis offences, especially from countries with more permissive laws.
Lenient Cannabis laws and extradition
Now we move to two countries where the laws are more permissive. For example, Canada legalised recreational cannabis use in 2018 and the Netherlands has maintained a policy of cannabis tolerance. In the latter, it is even allowed to be sold and consumed in its famous coffeeshops.
This moderate and permissive policy may influence extradition decisions, as authorities in these countries may be reluctant to extradite individuals to countries with stricter and more punitive laws.
Moderate Cannabis laws and extradition
Our last stop is Spain. This country has a moderate policy towards cannabis, allowing personal use and cultivation in small quantities. Extradition decisions in Spain can be influenced by this more liberal approach, especially when dealing with countries with extremely harsh cannabis laws. It is therefore important to always consult extradition lawyers in Spain if you are affected by this process.
Human rights and ethical considerations
Is cannabis use so serious that there are countries where the penalty is death? This is why extradition in these drug cases raises important human rights issues.
There are several cases where human rights concerns have prevented extradition. For example, courts in EU countries have refused extradition requests to countries such as Singapore and Malaysia because of the risk of individuals facing the death penalty or inhumane prison conditions.
Legal and policy reforms
Can agreements between countries be sought to ease extradition laws in cases of cannabis use or trafficking? This is precisely what is being sought. Reforms whose approach is based on human rights and proportionality of penalties. One of these reforms includes protecting people from being extradited for lesser offences to countries where the consequences can be very serious.
Another reform could be the implementation of humanitarian exception clauses in extradition deals. Both of these reforms would be an important step towards protecting human rights and promoting fairer justice for all people around the world.
As you have read, the change in cannabis laws worldwide has a significant impact on extradition practices. The future of extradition in this context will require legal reforms and greater harmonization of international policies if the fair and equitable justice that is so much sought after is to be guaranteed.
