The Congress debates the decriminalization of marijuana

Argentina, June 3, 2012

On Wednesday June 6 at 10 am will begin the discussion for the decriminalization of personal drug use, mainly on the project that seeks to decriminalize marijuana.

The arguments will be exposed by the Supreme Court Judge Eugenio Zaffaroni, defender of the proposal, together with Minister of Security Nilda Garre and the head of Sedronar, Rafael Bielsa.

From the exposition will also participate Alberto Calabrese, director of Addictions, Health and Sanitation of the Ministry of Health of the Nation.

The modifications relate to want to change the “rules against drug trafficking, modify tenure issues and the criminalization and decriminalization of marijuana for medical use”.

After hearing the presentations, the plenary will enter into a recess until Thursday at 10, when the debate will resume with new presentations of authorities and experts. The treatment of the project will be discussed in a meeting arranged for June 13.

The project was led by Ricardo Gil Lavedra (UCR), Diana Conti (FPV) and Victoria Donda (FAP) in addition to commissions on Criminal Law and Prevention of Addictions through Oscar Albrieu (FPV) and Mario Fiad (UCR).

The intent of the project is to avoid the criminalization to the consumer and focus state efforts in the fight against drug trafficking. They would also be reduced penalties for smuggling, to enable the release of so-called “mules” who are victims of organized crime.

As was the case in debates like the marriage between persons of the same sex, it is expected that every party will give freedom of action to its members to vote.