Green Criminology – Cannabis

Head of track: Dr. Yifaat Tamarkin-Leider

Cannabis has long been used in such fields as therapy, agriculture, nutrition, religion, leisure and recreation, and so forth. Social attitudes toward cannabis have fluctuated considerably over the past century, from its perception as a dangerous drug and its prohibition through the enormous development of research in the medical sphere. Today the plant is being used for a wide range of medical purposes and we are in the midst of a revolution in attitudes toward cannabis, both in terms of social and legal perceptions and in the medical field. Alongside a recognition of the negative impact of the abuse of cannabis, the plant is increasingly being shown to have numerous positive properties. The development of the medical use of cannabis offers enormous economic potential.

The subject of cannabis is developing at an accelerating pace. Due to the complexity of the issue, it is important to encourage a broad familiarity with the plant, including its positive properties and risks. The curriculum in this track offers an encounter with all these aspects, ensuring that students gain a broad picture of the issue.

The goal of the track is to inculcate theoretical and practical interdisciplinary knowledge in the field of cannabis, based on a profound familiarity with historical, cultural, criminological, pharmacological, medical, and agricultural aspects, as well as with issues of policy, regulation, economics, and commerce.