Norway Votes to Decriminalize All Drugs
Norway just voted to decriminalize all illegal drugs, in a historic vote and move forward for sensible drug policy.
According to The Independent, the majority of Norway’s parliament, including conservatives, liberals, the labor party and socialists, voted that decriminalization is the way to go. This makes them the first Scandinavian country to fully decriminalize.
“It is important to emphasize that we do not legalize cannabis and other drugs, but we decriminalize,” explained deputy chairman of the Storting Health Committee to VG Nyheter, a Norweigan publication. “The change will take some time, but that means a changed vision; those who have a substance abuse problem should be treated as ill, and not as criminals with classical sanctions such as fines and imprisonment.”
Norway has already been on track towards this change. In 2006, they launched a plan that was meant to serve as an alternative to prison, with a focus on rehab and treatment for addicts who were caught. While prison was still a possibility and drugs weren’t technically decriminalized, they tried to offer this alternative when it was deemed possible.
The Norwegian health committee is already organizing a visit to Portugal to see how decriminalized drugs are working in their favor, and the changes their justice system has undergone since making the shift. Portugal has long since been an advocate for worldwide drug policy change, and are willing to walk Norway through what to expect.
This is great news for sensible drug policy, as those who have serious addiction issues will now be treated rather than persecuted and thrown into costly detention programs. The new law also means that those who use cannabis in Norway cannot end up in jail simply for possessing or imbibing the plant.
