Argentina high court eyes decriminalizing drugs

[Judi Lynn]

Source: CNN

Argentina high court eyes decriminalizing drugs
updated 5 minutes ago

CNN) -- The Argentina Supreme Court was deliberating a case Tuesday that would decriminalize possessing small quantities of some drugs, which would make Argentina the second Latin American country in the past four days to allow personal use.

Mexico enacted a law Friday that decriminalizes possessing low quantities of most drugs, including marijuana, heroin, cocaine and LSD.

The seven-member Argentina Supreme Court was expected to approve decriminalization, Chief Justice Carlos Fayt was quoted as saying Tuesday in the state-run Telam news agency.

The ruling will be unanimous, he said, but there will be some "differences" on certain aspects.



Read more: http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/americas/08/25/argentina.drug.decriminalization/index.html

[ensho]

1. hope so - betters US chances the more countries that decrim

nt

[endless october]

2. good. the failed drug war should end worldwide.

[samsingh]

3. the truth may be starting to emerge

[samsingh]

4. the truth may be starting to emerge

[Jackpine Radical]

5. Now ya know why they call it

the HIGH Court.

[Qutzupalotl]

6. Paging Mark Sanford.

[Vidar]

7. Good for Argentina. Shame on the US.

[Peace Patriot]

8. Save 'em a lot of money--A LOT of money. Would here, too.

In fact, if we decriminalized all use, and ended the failed, corrupt, murderous US "war on drugs," we would immediately net $6 BILLION a year in savings from Colombia alone. BILLIONS more from the planned seven or more US military bases in Colombia (and whatever dire plans those may portend), and BILLIONS more in Mexico, and TRILLIONS at home in the "prison-industrial complex."

We could fund free health care for all Americans. We could fund a free university education for all qualified youngsters. We could end poverty. We could spare our children's children from crippling debt, and we could maybe even save the planet as well--which is more a matter of education and re-directing of the economy than it is of spending money. We could put human beings on Mars for just a fraction of what the "war on drugs" costs.

And we can have all this and NO INCREASE in drug use--and more than likely a DECREASE in drug use--as studies of decriminalization show.

I'm overjoyed that South Americans are beginning to lead the way on this very important matter. I believe Bolivia led the way by decriminalizing use of the coca leaf (but not cocaine), a couple of years ago. They also kicked the DEA out of Bolivia, which I'm sure has helped them implement a SANE policy. (The DEA was colluding with white separatists to overthrow the government, as was the U.S. embassy.)

A few states in the U.S. have gone sane on medical marijuana. And one of the few benefits of Enron & brethren having looted California is that the "Terminator" is going to have to terminate a whole bunch of insane "three strikes" sentences--many involving drug possession--to uncrowd California's stuffed prisons, and--who knows? the idea has been floated--maybe decriminalize marijuana and start taxing it.

I love it when fascists trip over their own dirty rotten schemes.

[Uncle Joe]

9. Kicked and recommended for logic, common sense and sanity.

Thanks for the thread, Judi Lynn.

[Judi Lynn]

10. Argentina court ruling would allow personal use of pot

Argentina court ruling would allow personal use of pot
updated 4:41 p.m. EDT, Tue August 25, 2009

By Arthur Brice
CNN

(CNN) -- Argentina's Supreme Court ruled Tuesday it is unconstitutional to punish an adult for private use of marijuana as long as it doesn't harm anyone else.

The unanimous ruling makes Argentina the second Latin American country in the past four days to allow personal use of a formerly illegal drug.

The case in question involved five young men who were arrested for having a few marijuana cigarettes in their pockets.

Supreme Court Justice Carlos Fayt, who at one time supported laws that make personal use of marijuana illegal, told the state-run Telam news agency that "reality" changed his mind.

Argentina's action came amid growing momentum in Latin America toward decriminalization of possessing small amounts of certain drugs.

http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/americas/08/25/argentina.drug.decriminalization/index.html

[Judi Lynn]

11. Argentine court just says no to prison for pot use

Argentine court just says no to prison for pot use
By MICHAEL WARREN (AP) – 15 hours ago

BUENOS AIRES — Argentina's Supreme Court ruled out prison for pot possession on Tuesday, saying the government should go after major traffickers and provide treatment instead of jail for consumers of marijuana.

Ruling in a case involving several young men caught with marijuana cigarettes in their pockets, the judges struck down a law providing for up to two years in prison for possession of small amounts of narcotics.

Tuesday's decision doesn't legalize drug possession outright. But Argentina's Cabinet chief favors keeping drug addicts out of the justice system, and was waiting for the ruling before forwarding a proposed law to Congress.

The seven judges said they were unanimous in "declaring the unconstitutionality of prison for private consumption."

"Each individual adult is responsible for making decisions freely about their desired lifestyle without state interference," their ruling said. "Private conduct is allowed unless it constitutes a real danger or causes damage to property or the rights of others."

Cabinet chief Anibal Fernandez declared that the ruling brings an end to "the repressive politics invented by the Nixon administration" in the United States, and later adopted by Argentina's dictators, to imprison drug users as if they were major traffickers.

On the other hand, Argentina will insist that "those who sell trash to poison our children must be punished with all the power of the state," Fernandez said in an interview with Radio Continental

More:
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5g3Q-KC_7BspCv9gLkDeKTMsq0hEwD9AA43900