– It was so shocking how much cannabis use has become. The fact that it smells like hash is not in itself the problem. But when it spreads and becomes more and more common, introducing yet another drug into society creates even more problems, says Vedum to NTB.
Last week he was in New York to participate in the G20 finance ministers’ meeting and the annual meeting of the IMF. The finance minister reacted to what he saw and smelled.
– You notice it in the street scene. That there is an incredible amount of marijuana and cannabis use. You smell it everywhere. And many become lethargic as well, he says to NTB.
The first legal marijuana outlet in New York will open in 2022. Vedum says he notices a big change since he was last in the big city in 2014.
– It is a development we absolutely do not want in Norway, he says.
– Nothing to copy
The SP leader refers to an article in New York Times at the beginning of the month, which addressed developments in the United States after several states have legalized cannabis.
According to a survey mentioned in the case, around 4.5 million Americans in the 18-25 age group use cannabis daily or almost daily.
81 percent of these fall under a definition of drug disorders, and that they continue to use it despite clear negative effects on their lives, according to the article.
Around 18 million – close to a third of all users over the age of 18 in the US – have the same symptoms.
– You look at the statistics from the USA, how hashish use has increased, how more and more young people are getting into trouble, and how much is habitual use. There is nothing to copy, says Vedum.
The Russian reform
On Friday, the government presented the first part of its drug reform. It differs from the proposal by the Solberg government in 2021, where they wanted to decriminalize the use and possession of small doses of drugs.
In its drug reform, the current government announces a new legal provision for minor drug crime. It states that all use and possession of drugs shall be prohibited, but that drug addicts shall escape punishment.
– Norway will in no way be a better country if we get rid of narcotic substances such as hashish. The experience is also that you use more other types of substances when you have a free pass on cannabis, says Vedum.
Determines that the government will tighten
The new bill will not come until Easter. The Labor Party and the Center Party seem somewhat in disagreement in the communication about whether it will involve a tightening from current practice, but Vedum is resoundingly clear on that:
– We must tighten up. There is no doubt that we will do that. Drugs are prohibited in Norway, and we must also give the police the opportunity to control and crack down on minor drug use and drug doses, he says.
– So it will be stricter than current practice?
– It will be stricter than current practice. It has become a sort of vacuum after Bent Høie and Erna Solberg presented their proposals in the spring of 2021 and after the Attorney General had his assessments, says Vedum.
He refers to a circular the Attorney General has sent to the police on how to enforce drug legislation.
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