The Ludovika University of Public Service (LUPS) International and European College (NESZK) organized an event on November 18 focusing on the latest developments in international marijuana legalization, with special attention to the United States and South Korea. Hyon Namgung, a professor from the Department of Criminal Justice and Criminology at Metropolitan State University of Denver, shared his expert insights, discussing global experiences, societal implications, and the evolution of legal frameworks.
In his presentation, Professor Hyon Namgung emphasized that cannabis is a plant with psychoactive substances that has existed for millennia. In the United States, the term "marijuana" became more commonly used due to the 20th-century history of drug policy. The term originated from Mexican immigrants and initially carried racist connotations, though its meaning has since evolved. He explained the effects of THC and CBD, the two primary compounds in cannabis, and highlighted the 1970s War on Drugs initiated by President Nixon.
As a former police officer in South Korea, Professor Namgung also addressed the legal frameworks surrounding cannabis use. He pointed out that marijuana remains strictly illegal in both South Korea and Hungary, while in Colorado, USA, recreational cannabis was legalized in 2013. "Despite my years as a police officer in South Korea, I never saw a single cannabis plant or plantation in the country. However, in 2013, in Colorado, whether walking in the park, on campus, or in other public places like buses or subways, the smell of marijuana was unmistakable," he remarked.
Professor Namgung discussed the various approaches to cannabis use and their impact on aspects like international student mobility in Korean culture. He presented statistical data showing a rise in marijuana-related cases in Seoul between 2013 and 2019. He also noted an increase in marijuana smuggling in the United States, with noticeable amounts being trafficked to South Korea. His research indicated that the proportion of marijuana addicts in the United States and Canada is steadily rising, suggesting that the effects of legalization could influence other countries. Changes in drug policies, he concluded, could have a global impact on the drug situation, including in South Korea.
Text: Éva Harangozó
Photo: Dénes Szilágyi