Is Decriminalising drugs enough? Navigating alternatives to prohibitionism

The regulation of drug markets is increasingly considered a potential solution to the harms caused by the prevailing prohibitionist approach of the 20th and early 21st centuries. This includes reducing drug-related crimes and effectively addressing violations of drug laws, all while still focusing on public health initiatives. Although Portugal has decriminalized the use of all illegal drugs, certain factors indicate ambivalence in the legal approach towards drug users. In specific circumstances, such as the persistent criminalization of self-cultivation, of social supply, and of using-dealing, drug users find themselves entangled within the criminal justice system. This raises questions about whether decriminalization alone is sufficient to prevent the criminalization of drug users. To explore alternatives to prohibitionism, we provide an overview of international experiences with cannabis legalization, examining its main objectives and impact on individuals and the community. The aim is to initiate a broader discussion on the potential regulation of the drug market.