Cannabis law reform in the 1960s

In the late 1960s, the cause of cannabis law reform briefly rose to remarkable cultural prominence in several Western countries, notably the United Kingdom and the United States. Some 50 years later, as global cannabis prohibition is once again coming under intense critical scrutiny in many parts of the world

Professor Seddon will revisit the events of the 1960s drawing on primary archival research. He will recover the story of the rapid emergence and development of the reform movement. The importance to reform discourse of ideas of personal freedom and civil liberties is explored and set in the context of wider shifts in liberal governance. 

In conclusion, he will argue that the challenge of cannabis regulation today needs to be understood in the context of contemporary regulatory capitalism.

This event will be particularly useful for those interested in social policy, drug law reform, archival research, criminology and sociology.

Related links

• Thomas Coram Research Unit (TCRU)
• TCRU seminar series
• Social Research Institute