Track record of drugs decriminalization (or re-legalization)... Friend, reader, and former colleague Simon M. passes this article along. It discusses the experiences of Portugal after 14 years of drug decriminalization. Bottom line: it was a big win for Portugal, and none of the outcomes feared by many (jump in drugs use, drug tourists, health issues, etc.) occurred. In fact, Portugal's record on all these issues has improved. The same is also true for the other countries that have decriminalized (or re-legalized) psychoactive drugs.
One aspect of the criminalization of drugs fascinates me for some reason. It's this: many Americans – I'd guess north of 75% – don't realize that until 1914 all drugs were legal in the U.S. In 1914, the Harrison Act was enacted, which banned the distribution of opiates and coca products. Before that, Americans were completely free to produce, distribute, sell, and consume absolutely any drug at all. Most Americans think that drugs have “always” been regulated. Somehow the country survived, without any notable drugs-induced disasters...
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