The UN met last week to discuss global drug policies.
A three-day UN General Assembly Special Session on the World Drug Problem (UNGASS) in New York ended on April 21, having failed to deliver substantive changes to international drug policy. The event was brought forward from 2019 at the behest of Colombia, Guatemala and Mexico due to the severity of drug-related violence in those countries. Having failed to shift policies away from current punitive approaches, they are likely to follow the growing number of countries that are decriminalising drugs.
The global schism on drug policy will deepen, seeing state policies diverge.
Colombia and Mexico will take more unilateral action, starting with moves to decriminalise cannabis and legalise medical marijuana.
Successful policy shifts in Colombia and Mexico will provide a strong case for more international change at the UNGASS 2019 review.
However, marijuana decriminalisation in Colombia and Mexico could see armed groups increase kidnapping and extortion.
