Walid Hassan Ebrahim Hassan
Ministry of Health, Sultanate of Oman
Title: After drug legalization in Canada; Could the Arab countries be next?
Biography
Biography: Walid Hassan Ebrahim Hassan
Abstract
Few weeks ago, Canada has legalized the marijuana for recreational use, making it the second country in the world after Uruguay to take such step. Some politicians would argue that after drug legalization, countries would not only benefit from the taxes applied to the retail shops, but also there will be increase in the expenditure on the treatment programs. Moreover, this may lower the drug related crimes creating more safe societies. On the other hand, there is potential effect that legalization may promote the adolescent use as it will be more available, more social acceptance, and cheaper prices. Legalization may likewise encourage the introduction of new formulations of marijuana (edible, vaporized) and with conceivably higher potencies. Would it be expected to have such discussions in Arab countries soon and what should be our role as health care providers.