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Prohibition, a backwards step
The personal dose in Colombia
Diana Esther Guzmán & Rodrigo Uprimny YepesLegislative Reform of Drug Policies Nr. 4
January 2010
In December 2009, the Congress in Colombia passed a reform to the 1991 Constitution, which considered the possession and consumption of certain quantities of drugs for personal use legal, to enact constitutional prohibition. This briefing shows the changes that this constitutional amendment entails and evaluates the principle potential consequences.
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Mexico: The Law Against Small-Scale Drug Dealing
A Doubtful Venture
Jorge Hernández Tinajero & Carlos Zamudio AnglesSeries on Legislative Reform of Drug Policies Nr. 3
November 2009
In August 2009, Mexico adopted a new law against small-scale drug dealing, which introduces some significant advances in key subjects, such as the recognising of and distinguishing between user, drug addict and dealer. However it still has significant flaws in continuing to treat demand and supply of drugs as a criminal and market phenomenon that are likely to undermine its successful application.
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Drug Policy and the Courts: A Brazilian experience
José Henrique Rodrigues TorresSeries Legislative Reform of Drug Policies Nr. 2
August 2009
This report is a personal response from the author on the issue of Drug Policy and The Courts. A year ago, in the author’s professional practice, he felt duty-bound to make a decision that overturned Brazilian case-law and ran contrary to domestic legislation as regards possession of controlled substances.
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Pardon for Mules in Ecuador
A Sound Proposal
Pien MetaalSeries Legislative Reform of Drug Policies Nr. 1
February 2009
At the end of 2008, about 1,500 persons were released who were in Ecuadorian prisons sentenced for drug trafficking. The measure, known as “pardon for mules,” singled out a specific group of prisoners who were victims of indiscriminate and disproportionate legislation that was in effect for many years.
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