Ten years ago, cannabis was legalized in Uruguay and since then, several countries have followed suit. Now a so-called green wave is also sweeping across Europe, where Germany, Switzerland and the Czech Republic, among others, have introduced more liberal laws.
One of the arguments used for legal sales is that it could cut off a source of income for criminal gangs, and that control of the content of the drugs would be strengthened.
The Swedish Narcotics Inquiry, which presented its final report at the end of October, states that Sweden is not unaffected by what is happening in the world around us. Among other things, it highlights developments in Europe and the fact that they mean that Swedish drug policy is being questioned.
"Hard to go back"
But Josefin Månsson, senior lecturer in social work at Stockholm University, does not believe that this will lead to a change in Swedish drug policy. According to her, the legislation is based on a culture where drugs, including cannabis, are seen as un-Swedish.
"It's been quite high-profile as a Swedish model and it's hard to back down from a project like that," she says.
At the same time, Sweden is far from alone in maintaining a strict drug policy.
"Sweden is not unique, really. Sweden has prison sentences for possession of cannabis, as are Finland, France, Hungary, Greece and Cyprus, says Brendan Hughes of the European Drugs Agency (EMCDDA).
Hear about how cannabis laws in Europe have changed in recent years in the clip above.