12/04/2020
Hi. Just your friendly neighborhood SUD counselor here.
In case you were wondering, decriminalization isn’t the same as legalization.
Legalization, in this context, would put recreational ma*****na use on the same tier as to***co and alcohol (i.e. it wouldn’t be a scheduled substance, and anyone “of age” can purchase it.)
Decriminalization involves removing criminal sanctions (i.e. criminal charges, jail time, etc.), and generally treating people with substance use issues more humanely. So even in areas where recreational use isn’t legal, federal-level decriminalization would allow for “softer” legal action, like fines, being mandated to participate in SUD treatment, etc.
Portugal is a good example of how decriminalizing drugs works. https://time.com/longform/portugal-drug-use-decriminalization/
