House committee approves bill with penalties for drug users

The Public Safety Commission of the Chamber of Deputies approved, this Tuesday (1st), a bill that provides for imprisonment of two to four years for those who acquire, store, store, transport drugs without authorization or in disagreement with the determination legal or regulatory.

After approval by the collegiate, the text will go to the Constitution and Justice Commission (CCJ). And, if it passes the CCJ, it will be ready to be voted on in the plenary of the Chamber.

In addition to imprisonment, the text provides for the payment of a fine in the amount of five to seven salaries. The penalty also applies to those who sow, cultivate or harvest plants intended for the preparation of small or large quantities for the production and sale of illicit drugs.

The committee’s rapporteur for the matter, Deputy Cabo Gilberto Silva (PL-PB), stressed that drug use “has been one of the major problems of our society. Young people are the ones who suffer the most.”

After approval by the commission, deputy Osmar Terra (MDB-RS) warned that the Federal Supreme Court will be able to consider this Wednesday (02) the decriminalization of drug possession in Brazil, a “very serious decision”, according to him, that could increase drug consumption and strengthen drug trafficking in Brazil.

He suggested to the chairman of the committee, deputy Ubiratan Sanderson (PL-RS), that he send a note to the Supreme Court with the position of the members of the Commission for Public Security and Combating Organized Crime, asking the Supreme Court not to vote on the matter.