Month: June 2020

Is an American private research university on the border of Medford and Somerville, Massachusetts, founded in 1852 by Christian Universalist who sought to open a nonsectarian institution for higher learning dedicated to educating new leaders for a changing World and a world-class research equip graduates. Charles Tufts donated 20 acres to the church as he wanted to ‘put light on it’ and the donation is still at the heart of TUFTS. Is also a global campus known for fostering different communities of students to be future leaders who are ready to make significant contributions to the society. Its aim is to bring out innovators, global leaders, social impactors and transformers. It is located in Somerville, Massachusetts in the Boston Area. It is the third oldest college in the Boston area.

Hosea Ballou became the first president of the college as he was one of the biggest influencer in the establishment of the college. The campus was opened in August 1854 and after the president’s death, he was succeeded by Alonzo Ames. He did several advances which includes the establishment of preparatory schools, Goddard seminary, Westbrook seminary, and Dean Academy.

It was a small college that transformed into a larger research university that emphasizes on active citizenship and public service in all disciplines and also known for its internationalism and study abroad programs. It offers both undergraduate and graduate programs across ten schools in the greater Boston area and Tallies, France has the country’s oldest graduate school of international relations, the Fletcher school of law and diplomacy. The largest school is the school of Arts and Sciences, which includes both the graduate school of Arts and Sciences and the School of Museum of Fine Arts at Tufts University, which is affiliated with the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. The school of Engineering offers an entrepreneurial focus through its Gordon Institute and maintains close connections with the original college.

The university has a campus in Downtown Boston that houses the medical, dental and nutrition schools as well as the graduate school of Biomedical Sciences, affiliated with several medical centers in the area. It offers joint undergraduate degree programs with the New England Conservatory, and the Sciences Po Pans with additional programs with the University of Paris, Oxford University and constitutes of London University, several of its programs have affiliated with the nearby institutions of Harvard University and the Massachusetts institute of Technology.

TUFTS is considered as highly selective, and admitted only 15% of applicants in fall 2020. It has graduated several Rhodes, Marshall, Fulbright, Truman and Goldwater scholars. Alumni and affiliates include Head of states, Governors, Nobel laureates, Senators, Representatives, Emmy and Academic award winners, and National Academy Members.

The legalization and the cultivation, distribution, and culture of cannabis for medicinal and recreational use vary from country to country, as it is possible to consume it and for what medical conditions it may be used. The United Nations Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs signed in 1961, the Psychotropic Substances Convention of 1971, and the Illicit Trafficking of Narcotic and Psychotropic Substances Convention of 1988 control these policies in most countries. 

Canada legalized recreational cannabis in October 2018, and cannabis became a hot topic. Nevertheless, with the focus of all our attention on North America, it is time that we turned to cannabis legalization in Europe to see what progress is being made in countries across this region

Germany 

Angela Merkel’s Christian Democratic Union (CDU) is the only major political party in Germany to take a prohibitive stance in the field of recreational cannabis. Such claims are based on recent comments by CDU’s internal political spokesperson Marian Wendt, who said that ‘cannabis, with regulated processing and distribution, could be liberated for personal use. 

The speed of this volte-face is what makes this case especially interesting. Just last year Marlene Mortler, the predecessor of the Bavarian sister party to the CDU, the Christian Social Union (CSU), the position was that the idea of legalizing cannabis was the wrong move as it “suggests, to young people especially, that cannabis is not a dangerous substance”.  

Medical use was legalized in 2017, but stringent surveillance is being carried out. Currently, recreational usage is illegal, but the government is more and more lenient, and it does not generally prosecute individuals for up to 6 g. 

France 

With 4.7 million users, France has one of the highest numbers of cannabis users in Europe. 

A new government commission has disputed urged France to legalize cannabis for recreational purposes. The June 2019 study says that because of the vast numbers of young people who are using it, the public spending burden, and the “black market” issues, the ban in effect for the past 50 years has failed. While strictly governed, the study recommends legalization. Just hours after the report was released, a request calling for legalization in the name of “pragmatism” was signed by seventy public figures that include the number two in the ruling party of Macron. 

Sibeth Ndiaye, spokesperson of the government said it is not their stance that goes into cannabis legalization, but Richard Ferrand, parliamentary chairman of Mr. Macron’s LREM, confirmed that the topic remained open to debate. 

Luxembourg 

The first country to consider cannabis legalization in Europe for personal use will be Luxembourg, one of Europe’s smallest nations. Prime Minister Xavier Bettel declared in November 2018 that a full-scale, adult consumer market by 2022/23 will be legalized in all three major coalition parties – Luxembourg Socialist Workers’ Party, the Democratic Party, and the Greens. 

Whilst medicinal cannabis has been legal from June 2018, once the new legislation is enacted, the possession of 30 g of cannabis, the same amount as is legal in Canada, will be permissible for individuals. The specific aspects of this law, such as age limits and a ban on non-residents to discourage drug tourism are still under consideration. 

United Kingdom 

The United Kingdom has seen shifts in drug legislation in the past year, inspired by the Alfie Dingley and Billy Caldwell incidents. The boys had suffered from serious seizures and were prohibited from receiving cannabis drugs by the State.  

The Home Office launched a study of medicinal cannabis, which ultimately resulted in its reportage, following a media storm focused on Billy Caldwell’s mother Charlotte attempting to get his son’s medication over the borders. Since then, two drugs based on cannabis have gained NHS approval and CBD health products are becoming increasingly relevant and can be bought on the streets. 

The interest in recreational legalization has grown amid these changes. Earlier this summer MPs David Lammy, Norman Lamb, and Jonathan Djanogly traveled to Canada to gain a deeper understanding of controlled cannabis markets policies, business, and public experience. In the BBC coverage, each MP concluded that markets for adult use should be legalized in five to ten years. 

Conclusion 

Cannabis legalization in Europe for recreational use has been taking the course, or at least the possibility to do so is debated. However, it is important to note that in some countries the rate of reform is slowing, with the Italian decision in May 2019 to ban sales of ‘light cannabis’ products up to 0.2% THC.