On Tuesday, Brazil’s Supreme Court officially voted in favor of decriminalizing the possession of cannabis for personal use. This move could have major implications for the country and help it catch up to a number of other South American countries that have already enacted similar reforms.
The deliberation over this topic has been ongoing since 2015, and the justices have largely favored decriminalization since discussions began. There are still a few aspects of the ruling that need to be ironed out, such as when it will take effect and the amount of cannabis that will be permitted for personal use.
Fortunately for Brazilian citizens, this legislation has the potential to significantly reduce the country’s massive prison population, which is currently the third largest in the world.
“The majority of pre-trial detainees and those convicted of drug trafficking in Brazil are first-time offenders, who carried small amounts of illicit substance with them, caught in routine police operations, unarmed and with no evidence of any relationship with organized crime,” said Ilona Szabó, president of the Brazillian think tank Igarapé Institute.
Why You Should Get Your Medical Marijuana Card
Veriheal has satisfied millions of patients nationwide by giving them access to these benefits
- Larger purchase limits
- Peace of mind
- Enhanced legal protection
- Access to higher potency strains
- Save up to 25% on cannabis purchases
- Skip the line at the dispensary
On the other side of the argument, the Brazilian Congress is attempting to advance a proposal that would increase drug legislation and complicate the current measure. Opinions are currently divided on how to handle the matter.
The Senate’s president, Rodrigo Pacheco, spoke on the topic, saying: “There is an appropriate path for this discussion to move forward and that is the legislative process,” he said. “It is something that, obviously, arouses broad discussion and it is a subject of preoccupation for Congress.”
Medical marijuana is legalized in Brazil, but it is heavily restricted. Only a small, select group of people are allowed to grow cannabis for medicinal use within the country.
The next steps for Brazil are still a little uncertain, but this move could mark a big step forward for both the government and its citizens.
Author, Share & Comments