Justifications for Decriminalization of Soft Dugs; Comparative Study in the Netherland and U.S. Criminal Law

Classification of drugs into two categories named soft and hard has a long history in Netherlands and United States of America. Soft drugs are believed to be non-addictive and less damaging to the health than hard drugs. According to this belief, decriminalization of soft drugs has much of pros. Their arguments for decriminalization may be gathered in two areas: law and health. The pros believe: From legal view of point, the soft dug problem belongs to health care area and using criminal sanction should be as the last resort. Imposing criminal sanctions to soft drug users is undue, ineffective, without interest and unnecessary. Respecting citizen privacy and religious beliefs in addition to respecting to their opinions and to refrain labeling them as addicted criminals are other arguments for decriminalization. In safety and health area according to plenty of scientific studies and reports, the pros, believe not only soft drug cause illness but also has important role in reliving pains and curing diseases like M.S, Hepatitis, AIDS, etc.