Norway becomes first Scandinavian country to decriminalise drugs in historic vote
The vote is just the starting point and that there is no legislation yet
Friday, December 15, 2017
Norway is to become the first Scandinavian country to decriminalise drugs as it focuses on treatment rather than punishment. The majority of the Norwegian parliament, the Storting, backed the historic shift. They directed the national government to reform its policies on drugs. Sveinung Stensland, deputy chairman of the Storting Health Committee, told Norwegian publication VG: "It is important to emphasise that we do not legalise cannabis and other drugs, but we decriminalise. The change will take some time, but that means a changed vision: those who have a substance abuse problem should be treated as ill, and not as criminals with classical sanctions such as fines and imprisonment.” (See also: Norway’s parliament votes to decriminalize all drug use)
