The Possibility of Legalising Cannabis in Türkiye: A Multi-Perspectival Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis of Users, Addiction Specialists and Legal Professionals.

Seyidoğlu S. · Drug and alcohol review · 2026

**Background & Methods** This qualitative study employed interpretative phenomenological analysis to explore perceptions of cannabis legalisation in Turkey, where cannabis remains illegal. Twenty-five participants were recruited through purposive and snowball sampling in Diyarbakır: 10 active cannabis users, 10 addiction specialists, and 5 criminal lawyers. Data were collected via semi-structured in-depth interviews and analysed using interpretative phenomenological analysis principles. **Key Findings** • **User Perspectives**: Active cannabis users emphasised that legalisation would enable normalisation of use, reduce social stigma, and provide safer access to the substance. Users prioritised the personal and social benefits of decriminalisation in a strictly prohibitive context. • **Addiction Specialist Concerns**: Mental health professionals highlighted significant risks associated with legalisation, including potential mental health harms and addiction complications. Specialists expressed concern about inadequate treatment capacity to manage increased problematic use and criticised potential commercialisation of cannabis markets. • **Legal Professional Perspectives**: Criminal lawyers focused on jurisdictional and definitional ambiguities, particularly the challenge of legally distinguishing between personal users and drug dealers. Lawyers evaluated legalisation primarily through frameworks of legal clarity and justice system efficiency rather than public health outcomes. **Dosage & Administration** Not reported. **Safety & Adverse Effects** The study did not measure or quantify adverse effects. However, addiction specialists identified mental health risks as a primary concern regarding legalisation, and implicitly referenced addiction and problematic use patterns. No specific adverse effect data were collected or reported. **Evidence Quality** This qualitative study represents a moderate level of evidence with significant limitations. The study is restricted to a single geographic location (Diyarbakır), limiting generalisability across Turkey's diverse regions and populations. The small sample size (n=25) and purposive sampling methodology may introduce selection bias. As a qualitative interpretative study, findings reflect subjective experiences and professional perspectives rather than objective clinical outcomes. The 2026 publication date and lack of peer-review confirmation details are notable. The study's primary strength is providing empirical insight from a strictly prohibitive context often underrepresented in cannabis policy literature. However, the absence of quantitative data, outcome measures, or comparative analysis limits clinical applicability. Findings should be considered exploratory and hypothesis-generating rather than conclusive evidence for policy decisions.

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