Portugal Drug Law & Policy
Overview
Effective July 2001, Law 30/2000 decriminalized possession of small amounts of several controlled substances for personal use in Portugal, including heroin, LSD, MDMA, cannabis, and others. Persons 16 years or older in possession of personal use quantities may be fined or required to undergo treatment, but are not liable for jail terms or criminal records. Personal use quantities are defined as ten times the average daily dose of the substance, as provided by Portaria n.° 93/96 in 1996 (see below). Possession of larger amounts is still punishable by jail, as is the sale or manufacture of any amount of a controlled substance.
OFF-SITE RESOURCES
PRIMARY RESOURCES
check-in.apdes.net (on site harm reduction, drug testing)
MEDIA COVERAGE #
Portugal's Experiment with Drugs - Jan 17 2011, Kevin Drum, Mother Jones
The success of drug decriminalization in Portugal - Mar 14 2009, Salon
Portugal's Drug Decrim Policy Shows Positive Results - Apr 7 2009, Scientific American