BOTSCHAFT DES PRÄSIDENTEN
Erstmals werden in unserem Bericht die Auswirkungen des unerlaubten Drogenanbaus, -handels und -konsums auf die wirtschaftliche Entwicklung insgesamt untersucht. Dieser Blickwinkel ist deshalb von Bedeutung, weil die wirtschaftliche Entwicklung ein wesentlicher Bestandteil der nachhaltigen und menschlichen Entwicklung ist. Unser Bericht macht deutlich, dass der überwältigende Teil der Profite aus dem illegalen Drogenhandel nicht in den Ländern erzielt wird, in denen der unerlaubte Anbau stattfindet, sondern in jenen Ländern, in denen die Endprodukte illegal verkauft und konsumiert werden.

Der Bericht setzt auch dem Irrglauben ein Ende, dass der Drogenhandel ein Weg zu Wachstum und Wohlstand sein könnte, wo doch die illegale Drogenproduktion in Wahrheit langfristiges Wirtschaftswachstum verhindert. Das Beispiel Afghanistan zeigt, dass die massive Steigerung der Opium Produktion Anfang der neunziger Jahre nur mitgeholfen hat, Bürgerkriege weiter anzufachen. Drogen hatten keineswegs positive Auswirkungen auf die soziale und wirtschaftliche Gesamtentwicklung des Landes. Dasselbe gilt auch für andere Länder. Der Rat fand keinen Hinweis darauf, dass die Vergrößerung illegaler Anbauflächen insgesamt zu einer Verbesserung irgendeines maßgeblichen Entwicklungsindikators auf nationaler Ebene geführt hätte.

Die staatliche Drogenkontrolle liegt daher nicht nur im Interesse der Gesundheit und Sicherheit, sondern auch im Interesse des Aufbaus einer soliden und gesunden Wirtschaft. Auf Drogenkontrolle zu verzichten, heißt auch, sich nicht länger zum sozialen und wirtschaftlichen Fortschritt unserer Staaten zu bekennen. Die Drogenkontrolle nicht ernst zu nehmen oder Drogen zu legalisieren, kann niemals eine politische Option für Regierungen sein, die das Wohl ihrer Menschen in den Mittelpunkt ihrer Tätigkeit stellen.

Die Fürsprecher der Drogenlegalisierung, insbesondere von Cannabis, verschaffen sich laut Gehör und haben Zugang zu beträchtlichen Finanzmitteln, die sie dazu verwenden, die Öffentlichkeit falsch zu informieren. Trotzdem hat die allgemeine Öffentlichkeit stets die Legalisierung von Drogen abgelehnt. So haben sich etwa die Wähler in einigen US-Bundesstaaten erst kürzlich gegen Maßnahmen ausgesprochen, die eine Lockerung der Gesetze im Zusammenhang mit dem Missbrauch bzw. dem Anbau von Cannabis zur Folge gehabt hätten.

Cannabis ist keine so harmlose Droge, wie sie die für seine Legalisierung eintretenden Kreise gern darstellen. Der Gebrauch von Cannabis beeinträchtigt die Gehirnfunktion. Sein unerlaubter Gebrauch wird auch mit Herzanfällen bei jungen Menschen in Verbindung gebracht und kann zu Lungenerkrankungen und Krebs führen. Eine vor kurzem angestellte Studie der British Lung Foundation hat nachgewiesen, dass das Rauchen von drei Cannabis-Joints die Atemwege ebenso stark schädigen kann wie 20 Zigaretten.

Cannabis ist eine der rund 250 Substanzen, die in den Tabellen der drei internationalen Drogenkontrollverträge aufgelistet sind. Die internationale Gemeinschaft hat sich dafür entschieden, Cannabis wegen seines Missbrauchspotenzials und seiner möglichen negativen Auswirkungen im Abkommen von 1961 der Kontrolle zu unterwerfen. Diese Eigenschaften von Cannabis haben sich seither nicht geändert. Mit Stand l. Januar 2003 haben sich 179 Staaten den Bestimmungen des Abkommens von 1961 unterworfen, einschließlich der Bestimmungen über Cannabis. Der Rat unterstützt die Entscheidung dieser Regierungen und steht auf dem Standpunkt, dass kein weiterer Handlungsbedarf gegeben ist, solange keine ausreichenden wissenschaftlichen Erkenntnisse vorliegen, die eine Rücknahme der gegenwärtigen Kontrollvorschriften für Cannabis rechtfertigen.

Es ist wichtig, dass in der internationalen Drogenkontrolle Einigkeit besteht. Keine Regierung sollte einseitige Maßnahmen ergreifen, ohne die Auswirkungen ihres Handelns auf andere und in letzter Konsequenz auch die Folgen für ein gesamtes System zu bedenken, das Regierungen über das letzte Jahrhundert ausgearbeitet haben..

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Philip Emafo
Präsident des INCB

(...)
The Board continues to serve the international community in line with its mandate. Some distractions, however, come from groups that advocate legalization or decriminalization of drug offences, and others come from groups that favour a crusade focusing only on "harm minimization" or "harm reduction", Contrary to all available evidence, such lobbyists have persisted in proclaiming that there are safe ways to abuse drugs.

Supporters of such legalization pursue their goals through aggressive, well-funded campaigns and with missionary zeal. Their arguments, however, do not reflect the truth. The truth is that there are no safe ways to abuse drugs. The truth is that drug abuse creates problems for the drug abusers, for their immediate environment and, ultimately, for society as a whole. Most people are all too familiar with the pain experienced by the family members of a drug addict and with the disintegration of families as a result of drug abuse. And many peopfö are aware of the loss of productivity that occurs in companies whose employees abuse drugs.

The sight of unkempt drug abusers on street corners and in train stations, begging for money to finance their drug habits, cannot be ignored by responsible Governments. States have a moral and legal responsibility to protect drug abusers from further self-destruction. States should not give up and allow advocates of legalization to take control of their national drug policies. Governments should not be intimidated by a vocal minority that wants to legalize illicit drug use. Governments must respect the view of the majority of lawful citizens; and those citizens are against illicit drug use.

Persons in favour of legalizing illicit drug use argue that drug abusers should not have their basic rights violated; however, it does not seem to have occurred to those persons that drug abusers themselves violate the basic rights of their own family members and society. Families and society also have rights that should be respected and upheld.

The work of the Board can only be accomplished and its report can only be complete if national drug regulatory and law enforcement authorities provide it with accurate and complete data on which it bases its analysis.

The Board commends States that have facilitated its task by furmshing complete and accurate data to it in a tirnely manner. The Board seeks close cooperation with all States in its efforts to serve the international community better.

Philip O. Emafo
President of the International Narcotics Control Board
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Presseinfo 2
(Zu Chapter I im Vollbericht: " Illicit Drugs and economic development")

Zur Information - kein offizielles Dokument.
SPERRFRIST: 26. Februar 2003 00:01 Uhr GMT

ENTWICKLUNGSLÄNDER AUCH VOM ILLEGALEN DROGENHANDEL STÄRKER IN MITLEIDENSCHAFT GEZOGEN ALS INDUSTRIESTAATEN
Illegale Drogen: Kurzfristige Gewinne für wenige, langfristige Nachteile für viele
Die illegale Drogenproduktion verhindert Wirtschaftswachstum und kann auf lange Sicht keine nachhaltige Entwicklung ermöglichen. Zu dieser Erkenntnis gelangt der Internationale Suchtstorfkontrollrat (INCB) in seinem heute (26. Februar 2003) veröffentlichten Jahresbericht. (....)
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In Chapter II geht es u.a. um Cannabis als Medizin und die Cannabisreform in der Schweiz:
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D. Control measures Control of cannabis used for medical or scientific purposes

135. Cannabis is included in Schedule I and Schedule IV of the 1961 Convention. Substances in Schedule IV are those considered particularly liable to be abused and to produce ill effects, while such liability is not offset by substantial therapeutic advantages not possessed by substances other than those in Schedule IV. However, for a few years there has been increased interest in the therapeutic usefulness of cannabis, as evidenced by the continuing scientific research on the efficacy of the medical use of cannabis or cannabis extracts in several countries, including Canada, Germany, the Netherlands, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and the United States. As stated in its report for 2001, the Board welcomes such research and trusts that the results, when available, will be shared with the Board, the World Health Organization (WHO) and the international community.

136. The Board is pleased to note that all Governments concerned apply the control requirements set by the relevant provisions of the 1961 Convention to reduce the risks of cannabis being diverted or abused. In particular, the Governments have provided the Board with relevant estimates and statistical reports, when applicable, on related production, imports, exports and consumption of cannabis or cannabis extracts.

137. The Board notes that the Governments of Canada and the Netherlands have decided to authorize the medical use of cannabis, although no conclusive results concerning the possible therapeutic properties and medical uses of cannabis have been obtained from the research conducted in those countries or anywhere else. The Board calls on Governments to consider the scheduling status of cannabis, which is listed in Schedules I and IV of the 1961 Convention, and not to allow its medical use unless conclusive results of research are available indicating its medical usefulness. The Board requests Governments to then ensure that such use is in line with general principles guiding sound medical use and practice. Governments should provide any new information that they might possess on the medical usefulness of cannabis that might require a review of its scheduling status.

138. In Jamaica and Sri Lanka, seized cannabis was released for medical purposes, but no corresponding estimates for its consumption and stocks and no statistics for the quantities released, consumption or stocks have been furnished to the Board. The Board wishes to reiterate that Governments have to comply with all provisions of the 1961 Convention concerning the use of seized narcotic drugs that have been released for medical purposes, including the submission of estimates and statistics to the Board.


G. Control of cannabis

180. The Government of Switzerland informed the Board that the presentation of the project for the revision of the Swiss law on narcotic drugs in the report of the Board for 200l,42 in particular, paragraphs 224 and 225 of the report, was partly inaccurate and provided clarifications. It stated that the personal consumption and the cultivation, manufacture, production, possession, detention and purchase of cannabis for non-medical purposes would only be decriminalized as long as they constituted preparatory acts for personal consumption and had not created for third parties the opportunity to consume. Further, the draft law would not in any way contemplate the regulation and organization of the cultivation and sale of cannabis, nor the depenalization of the sale of cannabis. Instead, it was underlined that the above-mentioned activities would remain criminal offences by law. The revised law would only allow the Government to define clear priorities when it came to implement the law with regard to cannabis-related offences. That did not mean, in the opinion of the Government, that federal or cantonal authorities would in any way "regulate" or "organize" cannabis cultivation, production or trade. The Government of Switzerland therefore maintained that the revised Swiss law would be in line with the international drug control treaties.

181. Concerning the cultivation, manufacture, possession, purchase and sale of cannabis for non-medical use, it stated that the new legislation would give the Government the possibility to define priorities for prosecution of those offences but it would not oblige the Government to do so.

182. Finally, the Government of Switzerland did not share the Board's conclusion that the draft legislation, if enacted, would contravene the letter and the spirit and essential objectives of the international drug control treaties. According to the Government, article 19 of the draft legislation would stipulate all the illicit activities as requested by the international drug control treaties (such as possession, purchase, production and sale) and article 19 would therefore be in total conformity with those treaties. The fact that the draft law provided the opportunity for the Government to set priorities for the prosecution of certain criminal offences might be specific for Switzerland, but the Government considered that it clearly lay within the competence of the Swiss authorities to fulfil any Obligation arising from the international treaty law in a way that they deemed appropriate.

183. The Board acknowledges those clarifications provided by the Government of Switzerland, as well as the Statement by the Government that the countfy was "very cautious to develop its domestic drug policy within the framework of the international drug control treaties". The Board notes the assurances given by the Government of Switzerland that it "remained committed to the global approach towards drug-related Problems" and "will continue to cooperate closely with the international community in order to reduce drug-related problems and in particular in fighting the illicit trafficking with narcotic drugs".

184. Nevertheless, the Board reiterates its position regarding the proposed draft legislation on cannabis in Switzerland, expressed in paragraphs 224 and 225 of its report for 200l.43 The Board continues to be concerned that, if adopted in its current draft form, that legislation would actually go against the provisions of the international drug control treaties.

Chapter III im Vollbericht:
Analysis of the world situation

Africa:

197. Illicit cannabis cultivation continues to be widespread in many countries in Africa, partly as a result of the low prices offered for traditional African agricultural products. Increasing cannabis cultivation has been reported in countries or areas affected by civil war or armed conflict. Law enforcement authorities have expressed concern that the trends in Europe and North America towards liberalizing or even legalizing the non-medical use of cannabis may lead to further increases in cannabis cultivation in Africa. The abuse of psychotropic substances continues to be a matter of serious concern across Africa, especially in the central, southern and western parts of the region. There is concern that the abuse of heroin and opiates may increase in East Africa since it is a major transit area. In the southern part of Africa, where the abuse of and trafficking in methaqualone have remained widespread, heroin abuse and trafficking have become more significant. In many countries in North Africa, there have been reports of the abuse of stimulants, as well as heroin and cocaine, albeit at low levels.

220. In the view of law enforcement authorities in Africa, the abuse of and trafficking in cannabis are the main drug problems African countries are faced with. At the Twelfth Meeting of Heads of National Drug Law Enforcement Agencies, Africa, held in Nairobi in September 2002, representatives emphasized the threat posed by the abuse of and trafficking in cannabis to security, health and socio-economic development in African countries, noting that the tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) content of cannabis seized in the region had increased significantly, from 2-3 per cent in the 1960s to over 17 per cent. It was stated that the reclassification of cannabis by the Government of the United Kingdom would undermine the efforts of Governments of African countries to counter illicit cannabis cultivation, trafficking and abuse. That action, it was held, had sent the wrong message and could lead to increased cultivation of cannabis destined for the United Kingdom and other European countries.

221. Africa continues to be a major source of the cannabis found on illicit markets in the region or smuggled out of the region, mainly into Europe. In many African countries, cannabis cultivation is increasing, as cannabis is often substituted for licit agricultural products. Approximately one fourth of the seizures of cannabis herb and resin that take place in the world occur in Africa. Almost one fourth of the cannabis herb seized worldwide was seized in the southern part of Africa, mainly in South Africa. Large-scale illicit cultivation of cannabis in Morocco remains a prime concern. Morocco continues to be the source of 60-70 per cent of the cannabis resin seized in Europe. Cannabis cultivation is also spreading to the western and southern parts of Morocco. The routes used for smuggling Moroccan cannabis lead mainly through Spain (and, to a lesser degree, through Portugal and France) to various other European countries. There are also reports of illicit consignments of cannabis being transported through and to Algeria and Tunisia. Cannabis herb is also grown in Egypt, mainly on the Sinai peninsula. Seizures of cannabis herb in Egypt rose from 7 tons in 1996 to over 50 tons in 2001. In several countries in sub-Saharan Africa, seizures of cannabis have increased significantly in recent years and law enforcement operations have often resulted in the destruction of large cannabis cultivation sites.

228. In countries in the central and southern parts of Africa, one development has been a cause of concern: the abuse of cannabis herb mixed with Datura stramonium. The leaves and seeds of Datura stramonium contain the alkaloids scopolamine and hyoscyamine, substances not under international control that complement the effect of cannabis. The abuse of datura is allegedly spreading fast throughout Central Africa, having started in Chad and the Congo, as well as in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, where it grows wild and has recently been cultivated in an organized manner.

Americas

265. Cannabis continues to be cultivated in all countries in Central America and most countries in the Caribbean, mostly to be abused locally. However, trafficking in cannabis has declined over the last two decades. Cannabis eradication efforts continue to take place in most of the countries in Central America and the Caribbean. For example, in Belize and Jamaica, the total area under cannabis cultivation in 1980 was estimated to be five times the area currently under some extent, the Eastern Caribbean; it also constitutes the main illicit market for cannabis in the Caribbean. The Board therefore notes with concern the attempts to decriminalize the personal use of cannabis in Jamaica and in a number of other Caribbean countries. Saint Vincent and the Grenadines is the major supplier of cannabis for the Eastern Caribbean. Growers of licit crops sometimes turn to cannabis production when the market conditions for their licit crops become unfavourable.

294. In November 2001, the Drug Enforcement Administration of the United States approved research on the effects of smoked cannabis in human beings. The research programme will assess the safety and efficacy of using cannabis compounds as an alternative in treating certain medical conditions. The Board would like once again to express its support for sound scientific research projects on possible medical uses of cannabis and other narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances.

301. Cannabis remains the most common drug of abuse in Canada, Mexico and the United States and is widely available in all three countries. The hydroponic cultivation of cannabis continues to be a problem in Canada and the United States. Canadian companies continue to sell over the Internet cannabis seeds and paraphernalia for growing cannabis. A significant portion of the cannabis produced in Canada is smuggled into the United States. The seventh national survey of attitudes on substance abuse in the United States revealed that, for the first time, a higher percentage of teenagers surveyed in the United States found cannabis easier to buy than both cigarettes and beer. At the same time, the percentage of teenagers reporting having tried cannabis increased from 21 per cent to 25 per cent.

302. The Board notes that, in several states, in the United States, discussions on liberalizing or legalizing cannabis continue. The Board appreciates that the Government continues to ensure that national laws in line with the international drug control treaties are enforced in all states.

303. In the United States, a study conducted by the Government found that first abuse of cannabis before age 15 is associated with a greater risk of illicit drug dependence or abuse at age 26 or older. In comparison with adults who had started abusing cannabis at age 21 or older, adults who had first abused cannabis before age 15 were six times as likely to be dependent on other illicit drugs such as cocaine and heroin. The Board reminds Governments of the need for drug abuse prevention efforts that specifically target adolescents.

304. The Board is concerned that the Senate Special Committee on Illegal Drugs of Canada, in a report issued in September 2002, proposed to amend the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act by introducing a criminal exemption and regulatory scheme for the production, possession and distribution of cannabis foi non-medical purposes. The Board trusts that the Government of Canada will act in accordance with its obligations under the international drug control treaties.

334. The cultivation and abuse of cannabis continue to be widespread in South America. The cannabis produced in South America is mainly destined for local or regional markets. Cannabis remains the most widely abused illicit drug in the region. Cannabis is also produced in Colombia to be smuggled into the United States. All the countries in "South America have reported cannabis seizures; together, they account for approximately 8 per cent of global seizures of cannabis herb. Of all the seizures of cannabis in South American countries Brazil accounted for one half and Colombia for approximately one fourth. Those two countries were followed by Paraguay, Argentina, Ecuador and Venezuela, which also ranked among the top 20 countries in the world in terms of seizures of cannabis herb. Paraguay has experienced a significant increase in the illicit cultivation and abuse of cannabis, as well as in the smuggling of cannabis into other countries.

352. A mission of the Board visited Suriname in July 2002 as follow-up to its mission to that country in 1998. While the nature and extent of drug abuse in that country have not yet been assessed, it appears that cannabis cultivation and abuse, in addition to the abuse of crack cocaine, are widespread.

Asia

373. There is limited information available on the situation with regard to cannabis production, trafficking and abuse in East and South-East Asia. However, reports suggest that abuse of cannabis continues to be widespread, especially in those countries in the region in which it is illicitly cultivated. Cambodia remains a major supplier of cannabis to countries in the region and in other parts of the world. Cannabis is cultivated not only in Cambodia, but also, on a smaller scale, on the islands of Java and Sumatra in Indonesia, in the southern part of the Lao People's Democratic Republic, in the Philippines and in the north-eastern part of Thailand.

406. Cannabis is illicitly cultivated and abused in all countries in South Asia. Recently, Bhutan, a country that had never reported any drug abuse problems, has voiced concern about the cultivation and abuse of cannabis, particularly by the younger members of the population. Until recently, there was no abuse of cannabis in Bhutan, even though cannabis grows wild in abundance in remote areas of the country. The authorities of Bhutan are eradicating as many cannabis plants as possible and providing counselling to drug abusers.

407. Cannabis cultivation for the production of cannabis resin and herb and cannabis abuse are widespread in India and Nepal. Seizures in 2002 indicate that large amounts of cannabis are transported from Jammu and Kashmir to Gujarat and Mumbai. The cannabis produced in India, as well as the cannabis smuggled out of Nepal and into India is mostly for domestic abuse. In Nepal, the illicit cultivation of cannabis varieties that are more potent than those which grow wild is rising, particularly in lowland areas.

408. In Sri Lanka, cannabis is mostly abused in the southern and eastern parts of the country. In Bangladesh, cannabis is also a traditional drug of abuse. In Bangladesh, apart from some low-quality cannabis from domestic illicit cultivation, cannabis from India and Nepal is smuggled into the country. Cannabis eradication campaigns are carried out in all countries in South Asia where cannabis is illicitly cultivated. The most common drug abused in Maldives continues to be cannabis, which is smuggled out of other countries in the region; however, the abuse of other drugs is spreading.

427. (...) The Board urges the authorities of Sri Lanka to take special measures against the abuse of preparations made from cannabis, which are widely abused in the country.

452. Cannabis continues to be the most widely abused substance in West Asia. In Afghanistan, the extent of the illicit cannabis cultivation is not known but is assumed to be considerable. In that country and in Pakistan, cannabis also grows wild. Cannabis resin from both countries continues to be smuggled into countries in Europe, as well as into other countries in West Asia. Illicit cannabis cultivation has increased in the Bekaa valley in Lebanon, where it had been eradicated in the early 1990s, although eradication efforts are still being undertaken on a regular basis. Small cannabis cultivation sites have also been reported in Turkey. Among the arrested drug traffickers, most are arrested for trafficking in cannabis. It has been reported that in several countries (the Islamic Republic of Iran, Israel and Saudi Arabia) trafficking in cannabis has increased. In Kazakhstan, there are extensive areas where cannabis grows wild, for example, the Chu valley. There is a risk that the wild-growing hemp will be exploited by drug traffickers. The Board notes the ecological functions of such growth and the intention of the Government of Kazakhstan to replace it with a variety of cannabis with a low THC content, thereby allowing it to be used for industrial purposes and preventing possible misuse.

Europe

494. The Board notes that representatives of Governments or local authorities of countries throughout Western Europe have been meeting in conferences to discuss their policy approaches towards trafficking in and possession and abuse of cannabis, with a view to harmonizing policies. The Board trusts that States will continue to meet their obligations under the international drug control treaties.

National legislation, policy and action

495. In June 2002, the Government of Germany laid the cornerstone for a new action plan on drugs and addiction. The Board welcomes the fact that more attention will be devoted to the estimated 1.5 million abusers of prescription drugs in Germany, two thirds of whom are women. The Board encourages other Governments to also deal with that issue in their countries.

496. A report on the comparative merits of treating addicts with heroin and/or methadone was published in the Netherlands in May 2002. The Board notes the evaluation of the heroin maintenance programme undertaken by the Government of the Netherlands, which highlights both advantages and disadvantages of such programmes. The Board wishes to reiterate its reservations concerning the medical prescription of heroin.

497. In January 2002, the Government of the Netherlands decided to make cannabis herb available in pharmacies as a prescription drug in the form of "magistral" preparations (made by the pharmacists themselves) and "extemporaneous" preparations (made by the pharmacist for each individual patient). The Board is concerned about the use of cannabis in such forms being authorized before research into the medical properties of that drug is finalized.

498. The Board, noting the response of the Government of the United Kingdom in July 2002 to the publication of the report of a parliamentary enquiry on drug policy, welcomes the fact that the Government, in line with its obligations under the international drug control treaties, has categorically ruled out legalizing or regulating the non-medical use of any internationally controlled drugs.

499. The Board notes the announcement by the Government of the United Kingdom that cannabis would be placed in a different schedule, requiring less severe controls, and the worldwide repercussions caused by that announcement (see paragraph 220 above), including confusion and widespread misunderstanding. A survey undertaken in the United Kingdom found that as many as 94 per cent of children believed that cannabis was a legal substance or even some type of medicine. The survey also discovered that nearly 80 per cent of teachers in the United Kingdom believed that the recent reclassification of cannabis would make educating pupils about the dangers of drug abuse more challenging and difficult. Several opinion polls taken in July and August 2002 found that the majority of the population did not support that reclassification.

508. There continues to be significant illicit cultivation of cannabis throughout Europe. There appears to have been a notable increase in cannabis cultivation in member States of the European Union, which may be linked to policies in some of those States that are more lenient towards the possession of cannabis. Authorities in Switzerland seized in November 2001 51 tons of cannabis that had been illicitly produced in that country. Illicit cannabis cultivation continues on a large scale in the south of Albania. In Western Europe, the bulk of the cannabis resin seized continues to originate in Morocco, while the seized cannabis herb originates, to a large extent, in countries in Europe, in addition to countries outside of Europe, mainly Colombia, Jamaica, Nigeria and South Africa. In 2002, as in previous years, cannabis remained the most widely abused drug in Europe.

523. The Board notes that the legislation in France against trafficking in and abuse of cannabis continues to be in line with the international drug control treaties; however, certain government officials have expressed views that convey unclear messages to the population on how the problems of cannabis trafficking and abuse should be dealt with.

Oceania

544. Large-scale hydroponic cultivation of cannabis continues to be reported in Australia. There is also significant cannabis cultivation in Fiji, which contributes to the substance being widely abused on that island. Cannabis is also grown on a large scale in Papua New Guinea and to a lesser extent in Samoa. Cannabis remains the most abused drug in Australia.