It's OK to smoke weed in Argentina

Even after spending most of the last 4 years here, Argentina never fails to surprise me. Just when I think I have a handle on her ways I see or read something that leaves me feeling as though I have no idea what's going on.

This time around it was the announcement that Argentina has decriminalized the consumption and possession of small amounts of narcotics back in August of this year (Here's a report in english).

What surprises me even more than this common-sense ruling is that a State actually upheld it's own Constitution! The relevant section being:

"each adult individual is sovereign to make free decisions about the lifestyle he or she desires without the state’s being able to interfere in that ambit."

(Just goes to show how by ignoring this previously for so many years States pay lip-service to their Constitutions).

However, before you pot-heads jump on the next flight to Argentina be aware that although the ruling does strike down a law concerning all narcotics (and not just ganja), the decision does not legalize the possession and private consumption of drugs outright. The ruling has decriminalized only the private consumption of narcotics by adults, on the condition that said possession and consumption does not infringe upon the health, property or rights of any third party.

So no Amsterdam-style coffee-shops opening here soon sadly. Still, a big stride in the right direction taken by Argentina to further attract lovers of individual freedoms.