Brazil Decriminalizes Marijuana: A Landmark Decision

Brazil has made a historic move by decriminalizing marijuana for personal use, becoming the largest nation to take such a progressive step. The decision by Brazil’s Supreme Court allows individuals to possess up to 40 grams of cannabis, equivalent to approximately 80 joints, without facing legal repercussions. This ruling is set to be implemented promptly and will be in effect for the next 18 months.

The court has urged Brazil’s Congress and health authorities to establish the permanent amount of marijuana that citizens can possess. It’s important to note that selling marijuana still remains a criminal offense in the country.

Notably, there are thousands of Brazilians currently incarcerated for possessing quantities of marijuana below the newly defined threshold. The implications of this decision on existing convictions remain uncertain, particularly for a significant number of Black men who make up a disproportionate percentage of drug-related prosecutions in Brazil.

Statistics reveal that despite representing only 27% of the population, Black men account for 61% of drug-trafficking convictions. This disparity underscores systemic issues within the criminal justice system, where Black individuals have often faced harsher penalties compared to their white counterparts.

Brazil’s shift towards a more lenient stance on marijuana marks a significant departure from its previous stringent drug policies. This development reflects a broader global trend towards the acceptance and legalization of cannabis. With over 20 countries around the world having decriminalized or legalized recreational marijuana use, the momentum for drug policy reform continues to gain traction, primarily in Europe and the Americas.