Cannabis in Myanmar

Last updated
Cannabis in Myanmar
Myanmar (orthographic projection).svg
Location of Myanmar (dark green)
Medicinal legal
Recreational legal

Cannabis in Myanmar (Burma) is legal.

History

During the British Empire rule in Myanmar (then known as Burma), cannabis was banned in 1870 (or 1874). However, despite the ban, there was a high demand for cannabis, particularly among Indian workers in the country. Recognizing this ongoing demand, the Burmese government legalized and taxed cannabis in 1939. This move was primarily aimed at regulating the sale and consumption of the drug and generating revenue for the government.

The legalization of cannabis in Myanmar led to the establishment of government-run dispensaries that sold the drug to users. The dispensaries were established in major cities like Yangon, Mandalay, and Rangoon. However, the dispensaries faced several challenges, including poor quality of cannabis and corruption among government officials. As a result, the demand for cannabis continued to be met through the black market.

After Myanmar gained independence from British rule in 1948, the government continued to regulate the sale and consumption of cannabis through the Opium Law of 1948. The law prohibited the possession and sale of cannabis without a license, which was granted only to registered users with a medical prescription. Despite this regulation, the demand for cannabis continued to grow in the country.

In recent years, Myanmar has faced significant challenges related to drug trafficking, including the cultivation and export of cannabis. The government has taken steps to combat drug trafficking, including the destruction of cannabis fields and the arrest of drug traffickers. However, the problem persists, and the country continues to face challenges related to drug abuse and addiction.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Drug policy of the Netherlands</span>

While recreational use, possession and trade of non-medicinal drugs described by the Opium Law are all technically illegal under Dutch law, official policy since the late 20th century has been to openly tolerate all recreational use while tolerating possession and trade under certain circumstances. This pragmatic approach was motivated by the idea that a drug-free Dutch society is unrealistic and unattainable, and efforts would be better spent trying to minimize harm caused by recreational drug use. As a result of this gedoogbeleid, the Netherlands is typically seen as much more tolerant of drugs than most other countries.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Drug prohibition</span> History, effects and enforcement of the prohibition of drugs

The prohibition of drugs through sumptuary legislation or religious law is a common means of attempting to prevent the recreational use of certain intoxicating substances.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Coffeeshop (Netherlands)</span> Establishment where the sale of recreational cannabis is tolerated by local authorities

In the Netherlands, coffeeshops are a type of cannabis retail outlet, establishments where the sale of cannabis for personal consumption by the public is tolerated by the local authorities.

A drug policy is the policy regarding the control and regulation of psychoactive substances, particularly those that are addictive or cause physical and mental dependence. While drug policies are generally implemented by governments, entities at all levels may have specific policies related to drugs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Drug liberalization</span> Process of reducing drug prohibition laws

Drug liberalization is a drug policy process of decriminalizing, legalizing, or repealing laws that prohibit the production, possession, sale, or use of prohibited drugs. Variations of drug liberalization include drug legalization, drug relegalization, and drug decriminalization. Proponents of drug liberalization may favor a regulatory regime for the production, marketing, and distribution of some or all currently illegal drugs in a manner analogous to that for alcohol, caffeine and tobacco.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Drug policy of Canada</span> Overview of the drug policy of Canada

Canada's drug regulations are measures of the Food and Drug Act and the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act. In relation to controlled and restricted drug products, the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act establishes eight schedules of drugs and new penalties for the possession, trafficking, exportation and production of controlled substances as defined by the Governor-in-Council. Drug policy of Canada has traditionally favoured punishment for the smallest of offences, but this convention was partially broken in 1996 with the passing of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cannabis in California</span> Legality, use and culture of medical and recreational cannabis in California

Cannabis in California has been legal for medical use since 1996, and for recreational use since late 2016. The state of California has been at the forefront of efforts to liberalize cannabis laws in the United States, beginning in 1972 with the nation's first ballot initiative attempting to legalize cannabis. Although it was unsuccessful, California would later become the first state to legalize medical cannabis through the Compassionate Use Act of 1996, which passed with 56% voter approval. In November 2016, California voters approved the Adult Use of Marijuana Act with 57% of the vote, which legalized the recreational use of cannabis.

Gonzales v. Raich, 545 U.S. 1 (2005), was a decision by the U.S. Supreme Court ruling that, under the Commerce Clause of the U.S. Constitution, Congress may criminalize the production and use of homegrown cannabis even if state law allows its use for medicinal purposes.

In the early 21st century, advocacy for drug legalization has increased in Latin America. Spearheading the movement, the Uruguayan government announced in 2012 plans to legalize state-controlled sales of marijuana in order to fight drug-related crimes.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cannabis in Massachusetts</span> Overview of the use and culture of cannabis in Massachusetts, U.S.

Cannabis in Massachusetts is legal for medical and recreational use. It also relates to the legal and cultural events surrounding the use of cannabis. A century after becoming the first U.S. state to criminalize recreational cannabis, Massachusetts voters elected to legalize it in 2016.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cannabis in Uruguay</span> Use of cannabis in Uruguay

Cannabis is legal in Uruguay, and is one of the most widely used drugs in the nation.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cannabis in Puerto Rico</span> Laws about cannabis in Puerto Rico

Cannabis in Puerto Rico is illegal for recreational use. Legislation to ban cannabis was passed in 1932, and legislation to legalize medical use was passed in 2017. Although the medical use of cannabis is permitted, smoking it is prohibited.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Minors and the legality of cannabis</span> Issue around the legalisation of cannabis

Minors and the legality of cannabis is one of the issues around the legalisation of cannabis, with most jurisdictions placing strict age limits in a similar way as is done with the drinking age for alcohol.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cannabis in Nevada</span> Legality of marijuana in Nevada

Cannabis in Nevada became legal for recreational use on January 1, 2017, following the passage of Question 2 on the 2016 ballot with 54% of the vote. The first licensed sales of recreational cannabis began on July 1, 2017.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cannabis in Washington, D.C.</span> Legality, use and culture of cannabis in Washington, D.C.

In Washington, D.C., cannabis is legal for both medical use and recreational use for possession, personal use, cultivation, transportation and gifting, and for retail sale once a regulatory system is implemented following an affirmative vote by the residents on a 2014 ballot initiative. The United States Congress exercises oversight over the government of the District of Columbia, preventing the local government from regulating cannabis sales like other jurisdictions with authority derived from a U.S. state.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cannabis in Nepal</span> Use of cannabis in Nepal

Cannabis has been illegal in Nepal since 1976, but the country has a long history of use of cannabis for Ayurvedic medicine, intoxicant and misconception as a holy offering for Lord Shiva and continues to produce cannabis illicitly.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cannabis in Japan</span> Use of cannabis in Japan

Cannabis has been cultivated in Japan since the Jōmon period of Japanese prehistory approximately six to ten thousand years ago. As one of the earliest cultivated plants in Japan, cannabis hemp was an important source of plant fiber used to produce clothing, cordage, and items for Shinto rituals, among numerous other uses. Hemp remained ubiquitous for its fabric and as a foodstuff for much of Japanese history, before cotton emerged as the country's primary fiber crop amid industrialization during the Meiji period. Following the conclusion of the Second World War and subsequent occupation of Japan, a prohibition on cannabis possession and production was enacted with the passing of the Cannabis Control Law.

The list includes and details significant events that occurred in the global history of national-level implementations of, or changes made to, laws surrounding the use, sale, or production of the psychoactive drug cannabis.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Legal history of cannabis in Canada</span>

The Cannabis Act (C-45) of June, 2018 paved the way for the legalization of cannabis in Canada on 17 October 2018. Police and prosecution services in all Canadian jurisdictions are currently capable of pursuing criminal charges for cannabis marketing without a licence issued by Health Canada. The Supreme Court of Canada has held that the federal Parliament has the power to criminalize the possession of cannabis and that doing so does not infringe upon the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. The Ontario Court of Appeal and the Superior Court of Ontario have, however, held that the absence of a statutory provision for medical marijuana is unconstitutional, and to that extent the federal law is of no force and/or effect if a prescription is obtained. The recreational use of cannabis has been legalized by the federal government, and took effect on 17 October 2018.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cannabis in Seychelles</span> Use of cannabis in Seychelles

Cannabis in Seychelles is illegal, with cultivation, possession and sale of the substance banned. Regardless of this, the controlled substance has seen continual use within Seychelles, with statistics indicating that more than a quarter of the nation's population are users of the drug, as well as use evident amongst adolescents. The drug is ingested in a variety of forms for medicinal or recreational use.

References