Drug Decriminalization: Portugal's Experience

Portugal decriminalized all drugs in 2001 (yes that includes cocaine and heroin). And “ none of the nightmare scenarios touted by preenactment decriminalization opponents—from rampant increases in drug usage among the young to the transformation of Lisbon into a haven for “drug tourists”—has occurred.”

While “postdecriminalization usage rates have remained roughly the same or even decreased slightly when compared with other EU states, drug-related pathologies — such as sexually transmitted diseases and deaths due to drug usage — have decreased dramatically.”

The U.S should take note of this and take it one step further by pushing the power to make drug laws to the state level like gambling. Some states will legalize drugs altogether taxing sales and driving the prices down, putting the drug lords in Mexico and elsewhere out of business. Other states will be more strict to start and can amend later based on results in the liberal states. Obama should give mass pardons for small drug crimes and empty the prisons of otherwise productive members of society.

Related posts:

1. Incentive Problem in Cancer Drug Trials
2. Is the 'War on Drugs' Ending?
3. Fixing Health Care III: Hospitals
4. Another Must Read on the Origins of the Crisis
5. If I Were In Charge, Health Care Edition



One Response to “Drug Decriminalization: Portugal's Experience”

1. plektix says:

   May 5, 2009 at 3:20 pm

   I agree, the US should look seriously at these results.

   Massachusetts decriminalized marijuana possession after the November elections; there should be some data on the results of this experiment in the near future.

   Reply