Brazil made history on Wednesday by decriminalizing marijuana for personal use, becoming the largest nation to take such a measure. The decision by Brazil’s Supreme Court allows citizens to possess up to 40 grams of cannabis without facing penalties, a move that will take effect within days and stand for the next 18 months.
This decision marks a significant shift in Brazil’s approach to drug policy, as the country has long taken a harsh criminal stance on drugs. Thousands of Brazilians are currently serving prison sentences for possessing amounts of marijuana below the new threshold, with many of them being Black men who have been disproportionately affected by drug-trafficking prosecutions.
The Supreme Court’s ruling comes after nearly a decade of deliberation on a 2009 court case, highlighting the ongoing debate on how to distinguish between drug users and traffickers, what drugs should be decriminalized, and who should be in charge of setting drug policy. Chief Justice Luís Roberto Barroso emphasized that the decision does not condone marijuana use but rather recognizes the failure of current drug policies, which have led to mass incarceration and pushed many youth into organized crime.
While the decision has been met with criticism from conservatives in Brazil’s Congress, who are pushing for a bill to criminalize any possession of marijuana, it reflects a broader global trend towards the decriminalization and legalization of marijuana. More than 20 countries have now decriminalized or legalized recreational use of marijuana, with many shifting towards treating drug use as a health issue rather than a criminal act.
The move by Brazil’s Supreme Court is a significant step towards reforming the country’s drug laws and addressing the disproportionate impact on marginalized communities. As attitudes towards marijuana continue to evolve worldwide, Brazil’s decision serves as a reflection of changing perceptions and policies surrounding the drug.
