A move in Copenhagen to allow possession of hard drugs for personal use has broad political support.
According to local media, the political majority in the Danish parliament wants to make Copenhagen a pilot city for the decriminalization of hard drugs for personal use.
Accordingly, Copenhagen city council politicians will ask the government for permission to make Copenhagen a pilot city for decriminalizing the possession of hard drugs in small quantities, while their manufacture, smuggling and sale remain illegal.
The proposal comes from the Radical Party (a left-wing, red party), with Kathrin Kildegaard, the municipality's social and health officer, telling Politiken: "We need a paradigm shift in drug policy. The crux of the matter is whether you see drug users as criminals or as people who need to be offered help."“
The majority of parliamentary parties support the proposal.
According to Politiken, the proposal will be considered on Thursday. The proposal is supported by the Social Democratic Party, the Free Democratic Party, the Unity List, the Liberal Alliance, and the Alternative Party, while the SF has not yet taken a position, and the Conservative Party does not support the proposal.
In a written statement to Politiken, Justice Minister Peter Hummelgaard described the decriminalization of hard drugs as a major step: “We are talking about cocaine and other substances that can be extremely harmful, and therefore consideration must be given to vulnerable people with drug use problems. It is therefore clear from the government’s position that it will also continue to evaluate the scheme for the use of doctor-prescribed heroin and implement measures that allow for consideration of new efforts that can ensure greater dignity for people with severe addiction problems.”.
A previous failed attempt to allow the possession of hashish
Politicians in the city council had previously tried to obtain permission from the previous Social Democratic government to legalize cannabis in the capital, Copenhagen, but they were unsuccessful.
Canada preceded the Danish capital in this regard.
Politicians in Copenhagen may have drawn inspiration for the proposal from Canada, where, starting Tuesday, possession of hard drugs such as heroin, morphine, fentanyl, cocaine, methamphetamine, and ecstasy will be decriminalized in British Columbia if the quantities are small enough to be considered for personal use—that is, less than 2.5 grams. However, it will remain illegal to possess drugs in schools and airports.
