Racial and Ethnic Differences in Suicide Mortality Among Youth Aged 12-25 Years Following Medical and Recreational Cannabis Legalization in the U.S.

Frontier AI labs face intense commercial competitive pressure to develop increasingly powerful systems, raising the risk of a race to the bottom on safety. Voluntary coordination among labs — including by way of joint safety testing, information sharing, and resource pooling — could reduce catastrophic and existential risks. But the risk of antitrust scrutiny may deter such collaboration, even when it is demonstrably beneficial. This paper explores how U.S. antitrust policy can evolve to accommodate AI safety cooperation without abandoning core competition principles. After outlining the risks of unconstrained AI development and the benefits of lab–lab coordination, the paper analyses potential antitrust concerns, including output restrictions, market allocation, and information sharing. It then surveys a range of legislative and regulatory reforms that could provide legal clarity and safe harbours that will encourage responsible collaboration.

ABSTRACT The European Union’s plant variety registration system is in urgent need of reform to meet efficiency and sustainability goals. This study integrates expert judgment and public input via multi-criteria decision-making to prioritize policy options. Results reveal a strong consensus for reform, identifying the adoption of new technologies in variety testing as the top priority. The integration of sustainability criteria and the harmonization of protocols also garnered significant support, despite differing views on their implementation. The presented framework systematically incorporates diverse perspectives to provide timely, evidence-based guidance for the ongoing reform of the Plant Reproductive Material legislation and offers a transferable model for agri-food policymaking.

This article is devoted to a comprehensive study of the legal mechanism for determining a child's nationality in light of constitutional guarantees and international human rights standards. The purpose of the study is to identify problems and systemic contradictions between the current norms of the national legislation of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the international obligations of the state in the area of ensuring the child's right to ethnic self-identification. The analysis is based on the provisions of the Constitution, regulatory decisions of the Constitutional Court, the Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan «On Marriage (Matrimony) and Family», and international treaties ratified by the Republic of Kazakhstan. To ensure completeness and objectivity, the experience of the CIS countries and non-CIS countries was analysed, in particular, the legal consolidation of national identity in Israel and Bosnia and Herzegovina - countries in which constitutions formalize the special status of «titular» nations. The experience of Canada and Belgium was considered, whose legislative practice allows us to assess the risks of applying a similar model in multinational states, including Kazakhstan. The study found that the automatic determination of nationality based on the origin of parents creates the preconditions for discrimination, especially in relation to orphans and stateless persons, and substantiated that the existing regulatory model requires revision in order to ensure the voluntary nature of ethnic self-identification and prevent confusion between the concepts of nationality and citizenship. The study is based on a combination of general scientific and specialized methods: deduction, historical, comparative legal, and systemic analysis, case studies, and a doctrinal approach. The empirical basis was formed by the normative legal acts of the Republic of Kazakhstan, international legal documents (including the Convention on the Rights of the Child and the Convention on the Reduction of Statelessness), as well as decisions of the European Court of Human Rights and materials of law enforcement practice of the CIS states. The results of the study can be used for further reform of family and marriage legislation of the Republic of Kazakhstan. The results of the conducted research may be useful for the scientific community, legislative bodies, and human rights organizations.

The article provides a comprehensive examination of the concept of digital transformation, its impact on the legal system, and its substantive aspects. The main focus is placed on the ongoing digitalization processes in the field of land rights protection and on mechanisms for evaluating the effectiveness of legislative reforms in this area. The role of legal monitoring and its importance within the system of public administration are analyzed, along with international experiences and best foreign practices. Based on the research findings, several recommendations and assessments are proposed to improve the legal framework for digital reforms in the Republic of Kazakhstan. The research results, taking into account the issues identified in Kazakhstan’s law enforcement practice, made it possible to determine the following priority areas: increasing the transparency of electronic auctions and cadastral data, and ensuring compliance with the principles of fairness and equality by authorized state bodies. In addition, improving the quality of regulatory legal acts governing land relations strengthens the legal foundations of digital transformation, ensuring legal stability and public trust. Through a comparative analysis of national legislation and its practical implementation, the study develops scientifically grounded proposals aimed at eliminating existing gaps and inconsistencies. The main objective of the article is to assess how effectively the rights of landowners and land users are protected under the existing legal framework in the digital era, to identify the strengths and weaknesses of legal safeguards, and to formulate conclusions on improving legal regulation, tak

This research examines the impact of taxes on the Iraqi national economy by analyzing their impact on key economic activities such as production,consumption,and investment. It also examines the challenges that hinder the efficiency of the tax system. The research highlights the weak contribution of taxes to public revenues compared to oil revenues,the absence of tax justice,and widespread tax evasion. The research concludes that administrative,legislative,and structural reforms,along with improving collection and oversight mechanisms,are necessary to strengthen the tax system,reduce dependence on oil,and achieve financial stability.

The trial of civilians by military courts in Pakistan constitutes one of the most significant constitutional and human rights controversies in the country’s contemporary legal landscape. Initially introduced as a temporary and exceptional response to terrorism following the 2014 Army Public School attack, military courts were justified on grounds of expediency and national security. However, the gradual expansion and normalization of their jurisdiction over civilians have raised serious concerns regarding their compatibility with constitutional guarantees of fair trial and Pakistan’s international human rights obligations. This paper undertakes a qualitative doctrinal and comparative legal analysis to examine whether military court proceedings align with Article 10A of the Constitution of Pakistan and the fair trial standards enshrined in Article 14 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR). Focusing on the conflicting Supreme Court decisions of October 2023 and May 2025, the study highlights systemic deficiencies in military court proceedings, including the absence of judicial independence, lack of transparency, restricted access to legal representation, and ineffective appellate review. The paper argues that the continued trial of civilians by military courts is constitutionally unsustainable and normatively inconsistent with international human rights law. It concludes by proposing evidence-based legislative and institutional reforms aimed at reconciling national security concerns with constitutional supremacy and fair trial guarantees.

This research paper investigates the legal framework governing the use of lethal weapons by state authorities, focusing specifically on the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and the laws within Pakistan. The study assesses international human rights standards regarding the use of lethal force, examines Pakistan's obligations under the ICCPR, and reviews the domestic legal framework that governs law enforcement's application of lethal weapons. The paper also identifies discrepancies between international standards and local practices in Pakistan, emphasizing the necessity for comprehensive legislative reform to ensure alignment with human rights obligations.

The extent and depth of States’ obligations concerning women’s equal property (ancestral) rights are the cornerstone of this article. Analysing the two most important treaties, i.e. the International Convention of Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR), and the International Convention on The Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (Women’s Convention) to which Bangladesh is a party allows the author to focus on concerns such as non- discrimination and equality with regards to property rights. Subsequently, personal law governing women’s inheritance rights in Bangladesh and national legislation will be evaluated to determine if they comply with the state’s international human rights obligations. This article also resolves to understand the feasibility of bringing legislative reforms to the personal laws in a way that guarantees women’s equal right to inheritance, following the right to property standards incorporated in international human rights treaties, without impairing the core values of the religion and the society. Dhaka University Law Journal, 2025, 36 (1), 209-233

Abstract When it was first introduced, the Youth Criminal Justice Act (YCJA) had two primary goals of reducing the reliance on custody and increasing uniformity in sentencing practices. Twenty years later, the YCJA has succeeded in dramatically lowering overall rates of youth in custody, but this gain has been selectively experienced by non-Indigenous youth and regional disparities in sentencing practices persist. In this paper, we suggest that the YCJA’s inability to meet its goals is due to overcriminalization by over depth. Using Indigenous youth sentencing as a case study, we argue the YCJA’s layered and sometimes conflicting principles have symptoms of overcriminalization by over depth, including over- and under-inclusiveness, arbitrariness, and confusion in implementation. To more effectively meet the YCJA’s initial goals, we propose legislative streamlining and systemic reforms, including specialized Indigenous youth courts and enhanced community-based resources, as pathways to greater justice.

Ioan Ionescu-Dolj was born in the commune of Boureni in Dolj county on 14 September 1875. He graduated from the "Carol I" high school in Craiova in 1894. A law student at the University of Bucharest, after two years he earned a diploma enabling him to be employed as an official at the Urban Land Credit. He continued his academic studies, and in the third year he completed his law degree and was ranked first. In June 1898, the Minister of Justice George D. Pallade appointed him judge. His professional training, his particular scrupulousness in the judicial activity and his stamina allowed him a rapid evolution on the hierarchical scale. In 1921, he became a counsellor at the High Court of Cassation and Justice, being one of the youngest members of the supreme court at that time. Since the establishment of the Legislative Council, Ioan Ionescu-Dolj participated with all his creative energy in the institutional organization, consolidation and proper running of its activity. In the period 1926-1938, the First Section of the Legislative Council processed more than 2370 files with regard to various legislative projects. He distinguished himself in the work of drafting the Criminal Code and the Code of Criminal Procedure, which belonged to the First Section, at the head of which he had been since the establishment of the Legislative Council. The two codes went through the legislative procedure and entered into force on 1 January 1937, constituting a special moment in the work of legislative unification of interwar Romania. In 1938 he was elected first president of the Legislative Council, a position he would hold until 1942. In the relationship with the ministries, state institutions and various entities, he showed openness, pragmatic and reverent attitude, which led him to manage with prudence, efficiency and professionalism the difficulties inherent in the legislative process. From the correspondence with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, it can be seen that he was involved in obtaining relevant information and documents relating to legislative reforms abroad in various fields of law, which denotes a constant concern for the documentation necessary to carry out the activity of the Legislative Council, for the knowledge and implementation of European and international legal standards.

The construction market in Ukraine plays a significant role in the country's economic development, infrastructure growth, and employment generation. However, it remains one of the sectors most vulnerable to violations of economic legislation and criminal offenses. The article examines the problematic aspects of legal regulation and law enforcement practices in the field of criminal-law protection of economic relations within the construction industry. A particular focus is placed on identifying the types of economic crimes most frequently committed in this sector, including fraudulent schemes, abuse of official powers, tax evasion, embezzlement of budget funds, and violations of public procurement rules. Fraud in the construction sector often manifests in the manipulation of contracts, overstatement of project costs, and falsification of documentation to divert funds illegally. Official misconduct may include negligence in oversight, collusion with contractors, or abuse of authority to facilitate corrupt schemes. Tax evasion is another critical issue, as companies often underreport revenues, misclassify expenses, or create fictitious entities to minimize tax liabilities. Violations in the use of budgetary funds, particularly in state-funded construction projects, lead to significant financial losses and undermine public trust in governmental institutions. Current Ukrainian legislation provides a framework for criminal-law protection of economic relations, including the Criminal Code, laws on public procurement, anti-corruption legislation, and tax regulations. However, there are significant gaps and inconsistencies in the regulatory framework that complicate enforcement. For example, overlapping responsibilities among regulatory bodies, ambiguities in definitions of economic crimes, and insufficient alignment with modern construction practices hinder the effective prosecution of offenders. The lack of comprehensive guidelines for investigating complex economic offenses in construction projects further exacerbates the problem. The effectiveness of law enforcement agencies in preventing and combating crimes in the construction market is another area of concern. Investigative authorities often face challenges due to insufficient resources, limited technical expertise in construction economics, and difficulties in tracing complex financial transactions. Corruption within regulatory and supervisory bodies further diminishes the ability to prevent and punish violations. Despite these challenges, certain measures, such as the introduction of electronic public procurement systems and stricter reporting requirements, have shown potential in increasing transparency and reducing opportunities for misconduct. Based on this analysis, several directions for improving criminal-law mechanisms for protecting economic relations in the construction sector are proposed. First, there is a need to strengthen liability for offenses specific to construction, including stricter penalties for fraud, embezzlement, and abuse of authority. Second, anti-corruption measures should be enhanced, including increased oversight of public procurement, mandatory conflict-of-interest declarations, and development of whistleblower protection mechanisms. Third, harmonization of national legislation with European and international standards is essential to ensure that Ukrainian law adequately addresses contemporary challenges and aligns with best practices. Additionally, capacity-building initiatives for law enforcement and judicial authorities should be implemented, focusing on technical knowledge, financial investigation techniques, and understanding of construction project management. In conclusion, the protection of economic relations in Ukraine’s construction market requires a multifaceted approach that combines legislative reform, institutional strengthening, and enhanced preventive mechanisms. Only through comprehensive legal regulation, effective law enforcement, and consistent anti-corruption efforts can the risks of economic crimes be mitigated, ensuring sustainable development and integrity within the construction sector.

BackgroundRecent legislative reforms in Norwegian education policy have heightened the professional demands on healthcare personnel, including pharmacists. These reforms necessitate adjustments in education, particularly in pedagogical approaches. Student-centered, active learning has emerged as a significant educational strategy to enhance critical thinking, problem-solving, teamwork, and reflective capacities among healthcare students. The aim of this study is to examine the perceptions and experiences of pharmacy students with active learning and what influenced the students’ learning during the activities.MethodsThis study employed a qualitative design using focus groups to explore pharmacy students’ perceptions and experiences with active learning. Conducted at the Faculty of Nursing and Health Sciences, Nord University, Norway, the study involved Bachelor of Pharmacy students. A purposive sampling strategy invited all students in the program to participate. Data was collected through four focus group interviews held between March 2023 and January 2024, using a semi-structured interview guide. Thematic analysis was applied to analyse the data.ResultsTwenty-one students participated, including 4 males and 17 females, that were third year (n = 12), second year (n = 5), and first-year (n = 4) pharmacy students. The analysis revealed three main themes: social constructions, organisation and structure, and transfer value. Social constructions emphasised the role of individual attributes and social dynamics in learning. Organisation and structure highlighted the impact of time management, activity design, and infrastructure. Transfer value focused on the relevance of learning activities to students’ motivation and engagement.ConclusionsThe study demonstrates that active learning in pharmacy education is influenced by a complex interplay of factors affecting both the learning process and outcomes. Key factors include social dynamics, organisational aspects, and the perceived relevance of activities. These findings underscore the need for flexible, student-centered, participatory, and well-structured instructional designs. As pharmacy education continues to adapt to changing professional demands and societal expectations, these insights offer a timely and actionable foundation for fostering reflective, engaged, and practice-ready graduates.Trial registrationNot applicable.Supplementary InformationThe online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12909-025-08470-3.

In Malaysia, Sessions Court judges perform coroner functions without dedicated training or institutional support, limiting the independence and effectiveness of death investigations. This article examines Malaysia’s coroner appointment framework and the absence of specialised Coroner’s Courts, contrasting it with the established systems in England and Wales, Australia, and Canada. Comparator jurisdictions appoint specialised coroners and operate purpose-built coronial courts with clear statutory mandates. The study identifies key structural gaps in Malaysia’s model and highlights the need for legislative reform, professionalised appointments, and independent coronial institutions to enhance accountability and public confidence. The reform proposals outlined, which include separating the coroner role from judicial duties, setting up a National Coroner’s Office, creating independent Coroner’s Courts, modernising legal frameworks, instituting comprehensive training, and implementing robust audit mechanisms, collectively aim to transform Malaysia’s coroner system into a world-class institution. These measures require legislative reform, institutional capacity building, dedicated funding, and political commitment despite possible resistance or initial costs.

The article offers a comprehensive analysis of the potential and limitations of using blockchain technologies in Ukraine’s electoral process amid wartime and post‑war transformations. The author examines the technical properties of blockchain, including its decentralized architecture, cryptographic resilience, data immutability mechanisms, and peer-to-peer data replication. The article highlights that these advantages create an impression of complete electoral transparency; however, their practical implementation is significantly complicated by various organizational, infrastructural, and legal factors. The views of proponents who perceive blockchain as a means of automating processes and enhancing trust. It is noted that these solutions are largely theoretical models that remain insufficiently adapted to real socio-political conditions. The article also analyzes the arguments of critics who emphasize risks related to the concentration of control in the hands of one or several administrators, the lack of reliable voter identification, possible system failures, vulnerability to cyberattacks, and potential interference from the Russian Federation. The international experience is revealed: the successful use during elections in Sierra Leone, election fraud in local elections in Russia, Norway’s refusal of electronic voting due to security risks and the lack of effect on voter turnout, the preference for paper ballots in Belgium, and the impossibility of applying the Estonian model due to its incompatibility with Ukraine's constitutional requirements regarding the secrecy of voting. Attention is also given to socio-demographic limitations, particularly the low level of digital skills among a significant share of older voters. The article concludes that implementing blockchain-based voting would require extensive legislative reforms, substantial modernization of digital infrastructure, and enhanced cybersecurity. Under current conditions, the technology cannot ensure full security, transparency, or compliance with constitutional principles. It is determined that blockchain can be applied only in experimental or local processes, while its full-scale use in nationwide elections in Ukraine remains premature.

The purpose of the article is to identify current trends in the modification of the Swiss model of alternative civilian service in systemic connection with the reform of Ukrainian legislation on alternative non-military service. The historical aspects of the establishment of alternative civilian service in Switzerland are explored. Attention is focused on the provisions of the Federal Constitution of the Swiss Confederation, with particular attention paid to the provisions of the Federal Law on Civilian Service. It is established that civilian service operates in areas where resources are insufficient or absent for the performance of important community tasks. It serves civilian purposes and takes place outside the institutional framework of the army. The areas where civilian service can be performed, and the restrictions on its performance, are defined. The specific features of the amendments to the Federal Law on Civilian Service in 2025 are clarified. It is determined that the analysis of Switzerland’s experience in the legal regulation of alternative civilian service indicates a tendency to tighten the requirements for persons who can perform such service, reduce the grounds for its performance, and return the conscience assessment procedure abolished in 2009. At the same time, the goal of such legislative novelties is openly proclaimed as reducing the number of persons who can perform civilian service, diminishing its attractiveness, and thereby strengthening the state’s armed forces. Attention is focused on the fact that the parliamentary discussions were preceded by the preparation of analytical reports by government bodies, including military administration bodies. In the face of the existential threat posed by aggressive Russian policy to the entire European continent, such measures appear completely logical. It is concluded that the system of requirements for military service of a training nature in an economically developed state that has not engaged in hostilities on its territory for more than 300 years has its differences, which are inapplicable to the current situation in Ukraine (in particular, the duration of both military and alternative service, as well as the conditions for its performance). However, what may be useful for Ukraine is not the direct borrowing of legal norms, but attention to the procedures for amending military legislation, as well as their analytical and communication preparation, which can optimize the public perception of such changes.

The article is devoted to the study of doctrinal trends in the development of Ukraine’s natural resource legislation under the conditions of forming a new paradigm of legal regulation of natural resource use. The current model of reforming the natural resource sphere is characterized by an imperative need to transition from the traditional, fragmented, resource-specific approach to a comprehensive, integrated system of legal regulation based on the principles of sustainable development, ecological balance, and the guaranteed preservation of the state’s natural potential. The key task of this paradigm is to establish an effective legal mechanism for the sustainable, environmentally oriented use of natural resources that ensures a balance between society’s economic needs and the necessity of preserving ecological equilibrium. This involves not merely improving specific legislative provisions, but rethinking the very model of regulating natural resource relations – shifting from a consumer-oriented to an ecosystem-based and preventive approach. An important direction of reform is the reconsideration of the role of natural resource law within the system of environmental legislation. Traditionally, it has been viewed as a sub-branch of environmental law; however, contemporary trends indicate its transformation into an independent, complex branch that combines public and private legal norms and performs an integrative function in the regulation of natural resource use. The implementation of the concept of sustainable development into the national legal framework highlights the need to consolidate the resource-specific branches of law (land, water, forest, subsoil, wildlife, etc.) and to form a unified approach to the use, protection, and reproduction of natural resources. Such an approach will ensure the coherence of legal regulation, prevent conflicts and duplications, and improve the effectiveness of law enforcement. It is concluded that the reform of natural resource legislation should be carried out on the basis of intersectoral integration, the concept of sustainable development, and alignment of national legislation with international environmental standards.

This article examines the issues and legal challenges faced by families and beneficiaries of missing persons in Malaysia due to the seven-year waiting period under Section 108 of the Evidence Act 1950 and the absence of a dedicated presumption of death framework. Data were collected from statutory provisions, including the Evidence Act 1950 and the Births and Deaths Registration Act 1957 (as amended in 2017), as well as qualitative insights from the author’s legal practice. The findings show that the mandatory waiting period imposes significant legal, financial, and emotional burdens. It impacts the delay of estate administration, financial claims, government benefits, transfer of property ownership, and family closure. The lack of a specific presumption of death statute leaves affected families in prolonged uncertainty, unable to act on behalf of the missing person or resolve critical legal affairs. The article concludes by urging legislative reform to provide clarity, uniformity, and timely legal relief.

Despite its economic profitability, fur farming in Europe, responsible for half of global production, faces a growing ethical backlash. Animal welfare concerns, particularly regarding mink, foxes, and raccoon dogs kept in restrictive cages, have intensified due to advocacy, scientific reviews, and COVID-19 outbreaks. In response, several EU nations have implemented bans or stricter regulations. However, limited research exists on EU public opinion. This study analyses data from Eurobarometer 533 (March 2023), surveying 26,368 citizens across 27 EU countries, to assess attitudes toward fur farming. Respondents selected from three policy preferences: a full ban, EU-wide regulation, or acceptance of current practices. Multinomial logistic regression and chi-square tests revealed significant socio-demographic and ideological influences. Older individuals were more supportive of current practices (p = 0.001), while higher education levels correlated with support for a ban or stricter regulation (p = 0.003). Income positively influenced support for regulation (p = 0.002), and women (p = 0.008), urban residents (p = 0.001), and those with regular animal contact (p = 0.007) were more likely to support reform. Right-leaning respondents (p = 0.012) and residents of countries without fur farming bans (p < 0.001) were less supportive. These findings suggest that values, demographics, and national legislation significantly shape public opinion. Aligning policy with evolving societal values requires integrated legislative reform, public engagement, and equitable transition strategies to ensure meaningful and sustainable improvements in animal welfare across the EU.

This article examines Ukraine’s legal framework for ensuring state security. The study aims to assess the current stage of its development and to propose legal improvements that align with international security standards. The findings indicate that Ukraine’s legislation lacks a unified conceptual approach to defining state security, resulting in legal uncertainty and inefficiencies in protective measures. Three key dimensions of state security are identified: substantive (a set of military actions to counter threats), institutional (the distribution of powers among authorities), and organizational-legal (a system of regulatory provisions). The concept of state security is proposed to be understood as preventive and deterrent measures undertaken by the state to safeguard territorial integrity. The study concludes that a legal framework distinguishing state security from national and military security should be developed. It further advocates legislative reforms to strengthen Ukraine’s resilience against modern threats and to ensure the effective protection of national interests.