Europol Claims Cannabis Use Leads to Violence and Crime

Europol has released data intended to convince European citizens that cannabis is not as harmless as it may seem. The theory presented by Europol, suggesting that the consumption of cannabis leads to violence and the commission of crimes, has prompted me to present counterarguments. In a social context, cannabis has been surrounded by an aura of controversy for many years, oscillating between acceptance and condemnation, with its role in criminality being the subject of ongoing debate.

The Europol Statistics

The European Police Office (Europol) is an EU law enforcement agency whose mission is to enhance the level of security in Europe by assisting law enforcement in EU member states. According to Europol, the cannabis trade accounts for approximately 38% of the EU’s retail market for illegal drugs and is a significant source of income for organized criminal groups. The organization emphasizes that about 1% of adults in Europe smoke cannabis almost daily, which allegedly increases the risk of social problems such as violence and other crimes.

The statistics presented may seem alarming, but do they truly reflect the full picture? This narrative, depicting cannabis as a catalyst for negative social phenomena, requires closer examination in light of available scientific data and statistics, which may shed new light on the thesis presented by Europol.

Review of Scientific Studies Refuting the Europol Thesis

Scientific reality does not always go hand in hand with theories presented by law enforcement. Research conducted in the United States, where some states have decided to legalize cannabis, provides compelling evidence that undermines the Europol thesis.

In Colorado and Washington, the first states to legalize recreational cannabis, we observe a situation that contradicts the warnings of Europol. Studies show that legalization had a minimal impact on crime rates, suggesting that the availability of cannabis to adults does not translate into an increase in violence.

Additionally, research funded by a federal agency in the USA has shown that the legalization of cannabis does not have a significant impact on the number of crimes committed. Experimental statistical models used by researchers to compare crime rates in Colorado and Washington indicate a lack of negative consequences of legalization for public safety.

In the context of medical cannabis, statistics from those states that have legalized it also do not confirm the thesis of increased risk of violence. On the contrary, some studies suggest that the legalization of medical cannabis may be associated with improved violence statistics.

International examples also go in the opposite direction to the Europol warnings. Uruguay, the first country in the world to legalize the production, sale, and consumption of cannabis, recorded a 20% decrease in crime after the introduction of new regulations.

FBI data concerning Washington supplement the picture, indicating a 31% reduction in violent crime compared to the national average, casting further doubt on the thesis that legalization of cannabis leads to an increase in crime.

These data suggest that the link between the legalization of cannabis and crime is not as clear-cut as Europol presents, and in some cases, legalization may even contribute to improved public safety.

The Psychology of Cannabis Consumption and Aggression

While searching the internet for arguments against the thesis that cannabis consumption leads to an increase in aggression, I came across several significant studies and articles that present a different picture than that suggested by Europol.

1. Studies published in the journal “Psychopharmacology” showed that alcohol significantly increases aggression, while cannabis significantly reduces it. In an experiment with three groups: regular alcohol users, regular cannabis users, and a control group not consuming any of these substances, it was found that alcohol raised the level of subjective aggression after exposure to aggressive stimuli, whereas cannabis, on the contrary, reduced aggression under such conditions.
2. An online drug counseling center notes that while the biological mechanisms of alcohol and THC are different and indicate that alcohol often leads to aggression, more comprehensive studies are needed. It is emphasized that mixing cannabis with alcohol is common, which can complicate the interpretation of research results on aggression.
3. An article on Focus.pl indicated that many studies confirm the link between alcohol and domestic violence, while such results have not been recorded for cannabis. It is pointed out that cannabis may even contribute to a reduction in the risk of aggressive behavior in relationships.
4. Comparing cannabis with alcohol, studies indicate that alcohol shows stronger associations with aggressive behavior. For example, in studies conducted by scientists from Maastricht University, individuals under the influence of alcohol exhibited a much greater tendency towards aggression than those under the influence of cannabis. This indicates that while cannabis may affect the increase in impulsivity and aggression, its impact is less significant than that of alcohol.

The available scientific sources suggest that alcohol has a much greater potential to cause aggression than cannabis. These results are significant in the context of social and legal debates on drug policy and in contrast to the arguments presented by institutions such as Europol.

Impact of Cannabis Legalization on Organized Crime Activity

Analysis of available data shows that the legalization of cannabis may have an impact on the illegal drug market.

Legalization in some U.S. states and countries such as Canada has led to the emergence of licensed, regulated, and taxed markets, which has reduced the demand for illegal cannabis.

Furthermore, organized criminal groups may lose a portion of their income, which could diminish their operations and structures. In Canada, it has been observed that the legalization of cannabis has led to a decrease in the price of black-market cannabis, which has reduced the profits of criminal groups.

Discussing the Dynamics of Organized Crime Post-Legalization

The discussion about the changing dynamics of organized crime in light of legalization also includes a change in the structures and methods of operation of these groups.

On one hand, legalization may lead to a reduction in drug-related crime, but on the other hand, criminal groups may seek new areas of activity, such as human trafficking, illegal substances, or cybercrime.

Social and Economic Aspects of Cannabis Legalization

Cannabis legalization brings a range of social and economic changes. It affects the economy by generating new jobs, taxes, and reducing costs associated with enforcing the prohibition. For example, in Canada, cannabis legalization contributed 43.5 billion dollars to the national GDP from 2018 to 2021 and created 151,000 new jobs. Similar observations apply to U.S. states where cannabis legalization has led to an increase in budget revenues and job creation.

Impact on Law Enforcement and the Judiciary

Legalization also affects the work of security services and courts. Police in the U.S., thanks to legalization, can devote more attention to serious crimes instead of pursuing minor offenses related to cannabis. Studies show that in states where cannabis is legal, investigations related to more serious crimes are resolved more effectively.

Importance of Education and Prevention

The importance of education and prevention in the context of cannabis use emphasizes that legalization should be accompanied by educational activities to inform the public about potential risks and to promote responsible use.

This approach is preferred over demonizing the substance as Europol is attempting to do, which can lead to a better understanding of its impact on the individual and society.

Europol Claims Summary

A review of scientific research and analysis of statistical data from various regions of the world where cannabis has been legalized sheds new light on the debate concerning the impact of this substance on society.

On one hand, we observe that Europol presents arguments about the alleged causality between cannabis consumption and an increase in violence and crime are challenged by the results of many independent studies.

On the other hand, and contrary to claims by Europol, available economic and social data from countries like Canada and U.S. states where cannabis is legal show positive effects of such a decision. Reduction in organized crime activity, increased budget revenues, and better police engagement in combating serious crime are just some of the observed benefits.

In conclusion, it is worth asking a rhetorical question: are the real motives behind the demonization of cannabis by institutions such as Europol perhaps more related to maintaining the status quo and unjustified stereotypes than to objectively measurable negative effects of its consumption? The answer to this question seems to be crucial in the context of shaping future drug policy.

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(Featured image by Jonathan Cooper via Unsplash)

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First published in Fakty Konopne, a third-party contributor translated and adapted the article from the original. In case of discrepancy, the original will prevail.

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