Denmark
Denmark is a beautiful country with a drug policy that is loose on those in need of a certain drug such as addicts. The Danish drug policy is based upon four main principles: prevention, treatment, harm reduction and control. They see the policy as if prohibition and control intervention will not stop the large drug problem they have by itself. The most important factor for the Danish is the way of looking to reduce the harm from all the drugs and the problems they cause the citizens of Denmark. Harm reduction till this day is the most important factor in Denmark's drug policy.
The use and possession of any drugs is punishable under the psychoactive substances law and will lead into a fine or even jail time of up to two years. But in sentencing it is always considered under Danish law if the drug was intended for personal use or for distribution. Depending on the drug type as well has too be considered in sentencing because if the drug causes long term addiction and could cause death it will be considered a harsher punishment, where as if it just cannabis that was found, the punishment will be no where near as severe as heroine.
The use and possession of any drugs is punishable under the psychoactive substances law and will lead into a fine or even jail time of up to two years. But in sentencing it is always considered under Danish law if the drug was intended for personal use or for distribution. Depending on the drug type as well has too be considered in sentencing because if the drug causes long term addiction and could cause death it will be considered a harsher punishment, where as if it just cannabis that was found, the punishment will be no where near as severe as heroine.
Current State of the Policy
In 2004-2005 members of the government tabled a notion for the legalization of cannabis. The majority of the people voted against it at the first reading of the bill. The bill did not even reach a final vote. But, another bill that was very important in this year of voting was the introduction of drug injection rooms. That bill was rejected by a parliamentary majority at the 2nd reading. In this year the government rejected three ver important bills such as legalization of cannabis, drug injection rooms, and the legalization of heroine.
The Current Legislation on Drugs in Denmark
Denmark's legislation regarding drugs makes no distinction between hard and soft drugs, and drug use directly is not an offense. Acquisition of drugs is a criminal offense, and, the law makes no distinction between personal use and large scale trafficking, the latter subject to a penalty of up to six years imprisonment. In reality, the courts rarely view small amounts as "acquisition" and generally do not invoke severe penalties possible under the law. There are three categories of possession: for personal use, simple, and large scale. Possession for personal use is not an offense. If convicted, simple possession, meaning smaller amounts of less harmful drugs, can result in six years in prison. Large-scale possession of dangerous drugs can sentence one to up to ten years in prison.
Although cannabis is categorized in Danish law with cocaine, heroin, and other highly addictive substances (in accordance with 1961 UN Convention), a directive from the Chief Prosecutor "provides for particularly lenient treatment of local trafficking in [cannabis] or possession with a view to use." The tendency of the courts' action for possession for personal use is most often a warning or a fine. Possession of small quantities of cannabis normally results in just a warning and confiscation of the substance.
Denmark's legislation regarding drugs makes no distinction between hard and soft drugs, and drug use directly is not an offense. Acquisition of drugs is a criminal offense, and, the law makes no distinction between personal use and large scale trafficking, the latter subject to a penalty of up to six years imprisonment. In reality, the courts rarely view small amounts as "acquisition" and generally do not invoke severe penalties possible under the law. There are three categories of possession: for personal use, simple, and large scale. Possession for personal use is not an offense. If convicted, simple possession, meaning smaller amounts of less harmful drugs, can result in six years in prison. Large-scale possession of dangerous drugs can sentence one to up to ten years in prison.
Although cannabis is categorized in Danish law with cocaine, heroin, and other highly addictive substances (in accordance with 1961 UN Convention), a directive from the Chief Prosecutor "provides for particularly lenient treatment of local trafficking in [cannabis] or possession with a view to use." The tendency of the courts' action for possession for personal use is most often a warning or a fine. Possession of small quantities of cannabis normally results in just a warning and confiscation of the substance.
Although cannabis is categorized in Danish law with cocaine, heroin, and other highly addictive substances (in accordance with 1961 UN Convention), a directive from the Chief Prosecutor "provides for particularly lenient treatment of local trafficking in [cannabis] or possession with a view to use." The tendency of the courts' action for possession for personal use is most often a warning or a fine. Possession of small quantities of cannabis normally results in just a warning and confiscation of the substance.
Denmark's legislation regarding drugs makes no distinction between hard and soft drugs, and drug use directly is not an offense. Acquisition of drugs is a criminal offense, and, the law makes no distinction between personal use and large scale trafficking, the latter subject to a penalty of up to six years imprisonment. In reality, the courts rarely view small amounts as "acquisition" and generally do not invoke severe penalties possible under the law. There are three categories of possession: for personal use, simple, and large scale. Possession for personal use is not an offense. If convicted, simple possession, meaning smaller amounts of less harmful drugs, can result in six years in prison. Large-scale possession of dangerous drugs can sentence one to up to ten years in prison.
Although cannabis is categorized in Danish law with cocaine, heroin, and other highly addictive substances (in accordance with 1961 UN Convention), a directive from the Chief Prosecutor "provides for particularly lenient treatment of local trafficking in [cannabis] or possession with a view to use." The tendency of the courts' action for possession for personal use is most often a warning or a fine. Possession of small quantities of cannabis normally results in just a warning and confiscation of the substance.