The deputies of the cross bench “Peace regulation”, led by Ana Maria Gazmuri (AH), announced the entry of the bill that regulates adult use of cannabis, an initiative built in conjunction with 55 social organizations that seeks to move towards a rights-centered drug policy, Public health and the need to take power away from drug trafficking.
The proposal establishes creating a clear legal framework for access to cannabis consumption in people of legal age, regulating self-cultivation, carrying and private use.
At once, promotes education campaigns, prevention and risk reduction, expressly prohibiting consumption in public spaces or in front of minors, except in cases of duly accredited medicinal use.
Deputy Gazmuri, historic activist for cannabis regulation, said “This is a historic day for the 'Regulation for Peace' bench’ and for more than 55 social organizations that have worked for a law that guarantees access to adult use of cannabis”.
The parliamentarian added that “our legislation allows consumption and personal cultivation, As the Constitutional Court itself has pointed out, but the institutionality -particularly the Public Ministry- has continued to persecute users as if they were criminals. That's what we want to change. This project seeks to organize the regulation, provide certainty and free up State resources to go after those truly responsible for drug trafficking”.
Anti-drug Law did not include “recreational use”
almost two years ago, in may 2023, The Government promulgated the call “Anti-drug law”, an initiative that during its processing included indications to allow self-cultivation of up to 5 cannabis plants, holding up to 500 grams and the carrying of up to 40 grams, but ultimately all of these were rejected in the final standard, although it did include medicinal use.
While, the deputy Jorge Brito (FA) maintained that “millions of people have been persecuted for using cannabis, even though they haven't broken the law. This project provides legal certainty and allows the State to concentrate its resources on serious crimes. Al regular, We weaken the main source of income from drug trafficking”.
At the same time, the deputy Vlado Mirosevic (PL), So far the only presidential candidate who has included cannabis regulation in his government program, commented that “the war on drugs has failed. Cannabis regulation is smarter policy, that defends individual freedom and reduces violence. Or we regulate, or do we continue leaving our neighborhoods at the mercy of armed gangs. There is no other way if we want to live in peace”.
From the Coquimbo Region, the deputy Carolina Tello (FA) also appreciated the initiative, ensuring that “This project makes it possible to distinguish between those who use cannabis legally and those who commit crimes. It is a concrete tool to combat crime with intelligence and responsibility”.
While representing social organizations, lawyer Hernan Bocaz, cannabis user advocate, emphasized that “regulating adult use is not committing a crime, is exercising a right. The persecution has strengthened drug trafficking. Is Congress going to be with civil society or with drug traffickers??”,
On to your turn, Fabiola Campos, director of the Foundation Sanasativa, highlighted that the initiative “It is a sensible and urgent response to the security crisis. While users are criminalized, organized crime gains ground. It is time to legislate with political commitment and reality”.
