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If an American said this they would be unelectable.
Quote:
On August 25, Argentina's Supreme Court struck down a dirty war-era law criminalizing possession of even the smallest quantities of marijuana. In the decision, the Supreme Court ruled that possession of small quantities of marijuana for personal use is protected by Article 19 of Argentina's Constitution, which states: "private actions that in no way offend public order or morality, nor are detrimental to a third party, are reserved for God and are beyond the authority of legislators."
The BBC reports that Argentine Supreme Court President Ricardo Lorenzetti said, "The state cannot establish morality," and that private behavior is legal "as long as it doesn't constitute clear danger."
The ruling came as no surprise; it was preceded by public forums in which Argentine judges and legislators called for decriminalization at the international level and lower court decisions that moved the country closer and closer to decriminalization. In 2007, Congress passed a law legalizing medical marijuana.
The Supreme Court decision means that Argentina's Congress, which reportedly supports the ruling, is likely to amend existing drug laws in the near future so that they comply with the Court's decision. The Supreme Court has made it clear that its decision only applies to marijuana, and even then only for adults' personal use. However, it remains to be seen if Congress will choose to clarify "personal use"--it could do as Uruguay has done and leave that determination for judges to make on a case-by-case basis.
Until the Argentine Congress passes legislation that lays out exactly what constitutes personal use, "judges will make decisions on a case-by-case basis according to the criteria laid out by the Court," said Alejandro Corda from the Argentinian organization Intercambios. Corda told Argentina's Clarin that his organization is concerned that some judges will resist applying the Supreme Court's decision until the government lays out specific criteria for what constitutes "personal use."
How is this not a bigger story?
Again, another sign that the United States is clearly falling behind the rest of the world in regards to personal freedom. This may have been the most free nation on Earth before, but not anymore.
How is this not a bigger story?
Again, another sign that the United States is clearly falling behind the rest of the world in regards to personal freedom. This may have been the most free nation on Earth before, but not anymore.
That is what happens when religioous fanatics take hold in Government.
Woah, and I thought this thread would go completely ignored.
I think what's ended up happening is that this country is just slow to adopt change, this is just another example.
While I think it will eventually happen (and don't care if it does), I think its a stretch to state "another sign that the United States is clearly falling behind the rest of the world in regards to personal freedom".
While I think it will eventually happen (and don't care if it does), I think its a stretch to state "another sign that the United States is clearly falling behind the rest of the world in regards to personal freedom".
How is it a stretch?
Countries that used to be more repressive are suddenly allowing things that are still illegal here.
Marijuana
Euthanasia
Gay Marriage
Internet Gambling
Prostitution
Sure, they're almost all vices and the Social conservatives will say something like "I wouldn't want to live in a country that allowed that stuff anyway", but the fact is that more and more countries are allowing their people more freedom while the US continues to restrict it. Not just with the PATRIOT Act passed by the Neo-Cons, but also with the ridiculous laws on Soda and Tobacco passed by the Democrats.
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