Police Can't Seize Personal Use Drugs In Colombia Anymore: What This Means For The War On Drugs

By Lucía Tedesco via El Planteo, adapted for Benzinga

President of Colombia, Gustavo Petro repealed the decree that empowered the police to confiscate small doses of drugs in public spaces. The measure had been implemented by former President Iván Duque, but it is now rendered ineffective.

See Also: Colombia: How New Drug Policy Will Impact Coca Production

The document issued by Duque's administration in 2018 stated "the prohibition of possessing, holding, delivering, distributing, or commercializing drugs or prohibited substances," as reported by ElDiario.es. However, Petro's predecessor stated that he aimed to "confiscate drugs on the street, not criminalize consumers." Consequently, he supported the current president's decision via Twitter: "With the new provisions, December has come for the criminals."

Colombian President's Stance On Drug Policy

Gustavo Petro increasingly reaffirms the idea of ending the failed 'war on drugs.' "If the Constitution allows personal doses, the Police's activity should not focus on chasing drug consumers but on pursuing major drug lords and crimes affecting citizens," expressed the president on his Twitter account.

See Also: Colombia Aims To Regulate Coca, Cannabis, And Poppy To Change Its Drug Policy

He also clarified to the press that contravention is not the same as a crime. This is because the former is established under the police code, and the latter under the penal code. Thus, this modification applies to the National Police and Coexistence Code.

More from El Planteo:

• Popper: What Is It, How Is It Used, and What Are Its Risks?
• Bong: What It Is and How to Use It

Image by El Planteo