Is Possession of Small Amounts of Cocaine REALLY Legal in Portugal?

Question by m hughes: Is possession of small amounts of cocaine REALLY legal in Portugal?
(ref Portuguese drug act 2001) I mean, I told this to two different Portuguese friends of mine and they thought I was crazy. They said depending on the cop they can still throw you in the slammer (prison) take the dope off you and still charge you. Would it be different for foreigners because they wouldn´t be refered to a drug rehab program?

Best answer:

Answer by Andrey Travelo
No, it’s illegal.

Answer by In Out
Not legal. Personal use of cocaine is just decriminalized. Drug abuse is dealt with by administrative and medical intervention. Trafficking (drug growers, dealers and traffickers themselves) is illegal.

Individuals found in possession of small quantities of drugs are issued summons. The drugs are confiscated, and the suspect is interviewed by three commissions which are made up of three people: a social worker, a psychiatrist, and an attorney. If the person is addicted to drugs, he or she may be admitted to a drug rehabilitation facility or be given community service, if the dissuasion committee finds that this better serves the purpose of keeping the offender out of trouble. If the offender is not addicted to drugs, or unwilling to submit to treatment or community service, they may be given a fine.

They can’t “throw you in the slammer” because it’s not a crime, it is seen as a health problem. Foreigners have to respect the law as much as the others. Your friends are probably not aware of this 10 years old law…

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Lector:

Your “cus” can do whatever he wants but if a “cop” stops him and he shouts “PERSONAL USE” he would be arrested. Drugs are not legal, they are just not considered a crime. You should read what I wrote above and tell your “cus” about it.