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How laws change from place to place - Coggle Diagram
How laws change from place to place
Homosexuality
Where is it legal?
Homosexuality is legal in the UK, Europe and North and South America. Although it is a crime in many Muslim countries, in Indonesia, the world's largest Muslim state by population, it is legal.
Reasons why the law varies in different places
Public opinion
Polls by the Pew Research Center show higher levels of support for bans on homosexuality in some countries. Some of these are countries where religion has a strong influence (for example, 95% in Egypt believed homosexuality should be rejected) but others, such as Russia, are not.
Sexism
The fact that male homosexuality is a crime in more countries than lesbianism is, may be due to sexist assumptions by male lawmakers that women were incapable of same-sex attraction.
Religion
Many religions, including Christianity, Islam and Judaism, have traditionally condemned homosexuality. Countries where religion has a strong influence over law-making are more likely to have laws making homosexuality a crime. By contrast, in secular societies (ones where religion has less influence), social norms are generally more tolerant of sexual diversity.
Where is it a crime?
Male homosexuality is illegal in 72 countries and in 45 so are lesbian relationships. In six countries, conviction can result in the death penalty. In some countries, such as Russia, homosexuality is not illegal but the law bans its 'promotion'. Many countries which do not criminalise homosexuality, nevertheless do not allow same-sex couples to marry or adopt.
Sexual acts between members of the same sex are treated as crimes in a number of countries.
Cannabis
Reasons why the law varies in different places
Different ideas about how best to control drug use
Lawmakers in some societies take the view that the best way to prevent drugs causing harm is by taking a tough stance to deter their use. They favour severe criminal penalties even for possession of cannabis, which they see as a 'gateway' drug that can lead to addiction to hard drugs such as heroin.
By contrast, lawmakers in other societies see legislation or decriminalisation as a way to take cannabis out of the hands of criminal suppliers and to reduce the harm by enabling users to get help for their problems.
Different norms and values
Societies with a greater emphasis on individual freedoms may see drug use as a victimless or as an individual's right to do as they wish with their body.
Where is it legal?
Some places have legalised possession for personal recreational or medical use. Others have also legalised its sale, including Canada and Uruguay. Some countries, such as Portugal, have decriminalised possession for personal use. This means it has been reclassified as a misdemeanour, or minor offence. The offender receives a warning rather than a more severe penalty.
Where is it a crime?
In the UK, possession can be punished with up to 5 years imprisonment and supply with 14 years. However, sentences are typically far lighter and for possession may often be a fine or a discharge. Many other European countries have similar laws relating to cannabis.
Laws on cannabis vary widely between different societies. In general, possession of cannabis for personal use is treated more leniently than growing, importing or supplying (dealing) cannabis.