University:
University of Wyoming
Course:
POLS4445 | Drug War Geopolitics in the Americas
Academic year:

2023
Views:

78

Pages:

1
Author:

Allison B.

I think this is my last Dr. Pearson reading post forever (or until senior year!) … ! The readings this week all related to drug policy reform throughout the Americas and more broadly how to address the structural issues that contribute to drug trafficking, production, and consumption in the region. Farthing acknowledges that the US and other global powers are realizing the failure of the “War on Drugs”. Youngers addresses the (then) upcoming UN General Assembly Special Session in 2016, which would later be described as underwhelming for drug policy advocates, and the increased role Mexico and Columbia have in the debate of policy given how it impacts their states. Lerer’s interview with Brazil’s former President, Fernando Henrique Cardoso, the interview brings attention to changes in US policy regarding cannabis, Cardoso states, “These changes will influence the entire international political momentum around drug policy reform.” (Lerer 2) Hetzer/Walsh examines the example of Uruguay and their pioneering-policy of national legalization of cannabis. I found the policy's initial, now growing, support of the legalization policy to be interesting, often I feel that the legalization of marijuana in the United States can be pursued because of it's political benefits with younger and more liberal populations.