The Brazilian government is changing its strategy in the fight against the “drug epidemic”. In the future, possession of small amounts of marijuana will no longer be a criminal offense, but simply an administrative offence.
This is evident from a ruling by the country’s Supreme Court. The court wants to determine in the coming days up to what amounts of personal needs can still be accepted.
Court: “Under no circumstances will we legalize drug use”
At the same time, President of the Court Luís Roberto Barroso emphasized: “Under no circumstances do we legalize drug use or say that it is a good thing. Quite the opposite. We are just thinking about how best to fight this epidemic in Brazil.” The previous strategies have not worked as drug consumption and the power of the drug trade continue to increase. Barroso stressed that cannabis is still an illegal substance and should not be consumed in a public place.
Relieving the overcrowded prisons
Decriminalizing marijuana could ease Brazil’s overcrowded prisons. Until now, people are often jailed when very small amounts of drugs are found. Nearly 840,000 people are currently behind bars in the South American country. This makes Brazil, with almost 210 million inhabitants, the country with the most prisoners in the world, after the US and China.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
