The new El Chapo? Understanding the implications of the legalization of marijuana for the drug seller and the hidden drug economy
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Date
2019-04-02
Authors
Molina, Kevin Alejandro
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Abstract
Canada has used punitive legislation to criminalize the seller of marijuana, while also using media outlets to instill fear in the minds of the general public. Marijuana has been historically framed as a moral and political issue, rather than a health issue. Negative public discourse continues to be rampant as the drug seller is viewed as a “profit-driven criminal” operating in a hidden economy ruled by organized criminals. As public discourse and scholarly literature put forth competing discourses, one becomes curious as to what the implications of the legalization of recreational marijuana are for the drug seller and the hidden drug economy. Drawing on interviews with 12 individuals selling marijuana in the hidden drug economy, this study finds that the drug seller is an ordinary individual trying to overcome the barriers of precarious work and legalization will not curb the existence of the drug seller or the hidden drug economy.
Description
Keywords
Drug Policy, Legalization of Marijuana, Identity, Interview, Criminalization
Citation
APA