Culture(s) of control: Political dynamics in cannabis policy in England & Wales and the Netherlands

Brewster, David

Abstract

© 2016, © The Author(s) 2016. This paper draws upon an empirical comparative study of policy-making in England & Wales and the Netherlands. Recent changes in cannabis policy prima facie indicate some convergence towards a toughening of approaches, thereby suggesting commonalities in control cultures. However, analysis of findings illuminate significant differences in the policy process between these jurisdictions which contribute towards continued divergence towards small-scale supply and consumption of cannabis. It is argued that this can be understood and explained through an understanding of differences in both political institutions and cultures, and in organizational responsibilities and relations of power. Consequentially, this further supports the notion that comparative research and theorizing needs to take account of mechanisms and features which lead to variegated control cultures.

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Oct 7, 2016
• Online Publication Date: Dec 9, 2016
• Publication Date: Sep 1, 2017
• Deposit Date: Oct 18, 2016
• Publicly Available Date: Oct 18, 2016
• Journal: European Journal of Criminology
• Print ISSN: 1477-3708
• Electronic ISSN: 1741-2609
• Publisher: SAGE Publications
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 14
• Issue: 5
• Pages: 566-585
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/1477370816678870
• Keywords: cannabis, comparative, divergence, culture of control, policy
• Public URL: https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/881635
• Publisher URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/1477370816678870
• Contract Date: Oct 18, 2016