Parliament is to debate the legalisation of cannabis for recreational use. With one in ten Portuguese having tried the drug and with almost half a million active consumers, it may be seen as pointless continuing its classification as illegal, according to pro-drug pressure groups.
The usage figures increase in the 25 to 44 years age group, according to a national survey prepared by the Intervention Service on Admissible Behaviors and Dependencies (SICAD) in 2016/17.
Bills have been submitted to parliament by the Left Bloc and the People, Animals, Nature party’s lone MP.
The only difference between the two proposals is where the drug legally should be sold.
Two-thirds of those who consume cannabis, do so four or more times a week, according to the national survey which notes an increase in consumption frequency and a particular growth in usage by women.
In the last 12 months of 2017, more than three-fifths of consumers use cannabis almost every day. Although recreational cannabis use is not legal, the Portuguese public thinks it is relatively easy to access.
Consumption of cannabis was decriminalized in 2001, and criminal sanctions were replaced by misconduct procedures. The possession of the drug over a certain quantity is still punishable as it can be considered as trafficking.
Decriminalised consumption limits means users currently may carry 25 grammes of marijuana, 10 grammes of hashish and 2.5 grammes of cannabis oil without being charged with a criminal offence.
Comments
Really? You mean one in ten ADMIT to trying the drug (under threat of prosecution).
My guess would be more than 50% of young people between 18 and 30 bhave tried cannabis.
Proabition only criminalizes young and old a like. This allows criminals to control the distribution and profits. The state should take this control away from these people..
My position as a non-smoker, non-drinker, is that if you want to prohibit someone's self-harming substance, you should prohibit everyone's.
If THC is going to remain banned, then ban nicotine and alcohol too.
Then we can get into sugars, fats, and high speed motor vehicles.
I can quote only from newspaper sources. They report that increasing numbers of middle-aged people suffering from overdoses of cannabis and other harder drugs are attending emergency units at hospitals all over the UK. There may also be overdoses from prescribed drugs, but I cannot comment on that issue.
I agree wholeheartedly with the legalisation of drugs, soft and hard, since the criminalisation of the possession of these drugs so obviously does not work, and so clearly benefits the criminal classes.
I am still of the opinion that recreational drug use is a bad idea. There are so many other ways to enjoy yourself, which do not imply any risk to health.
I disagree with you Peter. Middle-aged people suffer more from legal prescribed drugs than recreational drugs, specifically cannabis. Decriminalisation would stop criminals profiting from the sale of cannabis and hopefully this will also lead to more research on the medical benefits of this plant.