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Alternative title:

Narratives in Polish Parliamentary Discourse on Medical Marijuana. Critical Analysis

Subject and Keywords:

medical marijuana   public debate   parliamentary discourse   narrative analysis   psychoactive substances

Abstract:

Single Convention on Narcotics Drugs was announced in 1961 and since then it was signed by most of the countries, including Poland. Document categorizes marihuana as harmful, non-medical psychoactive substance. Nowadays, we have already learned that cannabis products can alleviate symptoms of many diseases and can be used in medicine. Consequently some countries decided to regulate usage of medical marijuana. In 2017 Polish Parliament was proceeding a law, which aimed to increase accessibility to medical marijuana. Undoubtedly there were many factors which determined final decision. This article presents research into the importance of worldviews as a factor for decision making. Therefore the transcripts of Parliamentary discussions on this topic were examined with the use of narrative analysis. It allowed to reconstruct narratives in favor of specific solutions. Analyzed discourse was dominated by two narratives: “permissive”, in favor of liberal law and “paternalistic”, focused on showing that marijuana is a dangerous substance. Final law allowed for medical marijuana usage but introduced many restrictions for registering and selling medicines based on marijuana. Based on analysis, we can state that belief in negative outcomes of using marijuana shared by majority of Parliamentary members was an important factor for the final result of this law. More liberal solutions were discarded due to fear of marijuana leakage to the black market and increasing its accessibility for teenagers. This analysis can be important as an attempt of diagnosis of Polish disputes on drug policy as well as an introduction for wider research on Polish debate in context of current international changes in this field.

Place of publishing:

Wrocław

Publisher:

E-Wydawnictwo. Prawnicza i Ekonomiczna Biblioteka Cyfrowa. Wydział Prawa, Administracji i Ekonomii Uniwersytetu Wrocławskiego

Date issued:

2020

Detailed Type:

e-książka

Identifier:

ISBN: 978-83-66601-24-6 (druk)   ISBN: 978-83-66601-25-3 (online)

DOI:

10.34616/23.20.126

Language:

pol   eng

Relation:

(E-Monografie ; No. 170)

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Access rights:

The use of this material is allowed only with accordance of applicable rules of fair use or other exceptions provided by law, and any broader use requires the permission of the authorized entity

License:

Making materials available on the basis of the agreement with the owner of the property copyrights

Rights holder:

Copyright by Wydział Prawa, Administracji i Ekonomii Uniwersytetu Wrocławskiego

Autor opisu:

WR U/PAdal