Cannabis in Norway

Cannabis in Norway is illegal for all purposes except medical purposes, for which it has been available through special approval since November 2016.[1]

Decriminalization

In December 2017, the Norwegian Parliament's sub-committee on health announced their intention to decriminalize personal drug use, providing medical treatment to users rather than fines and imprisonment.[2] In March 2018, the government created a working group to prepare the reform in drug policy. The group provided its recommendation to the government by 31 December 2019. In the group's given mandate, the police were handed the responsibility to "impose health related measures on drug addicts." Not complying with measures imposed by police "will lead to sanctions."[3][4]

Reform efforts

Norway has traditionally been one of the strictest countries in Europe in regards to cannabis, but this is changing, mainly due to the work of reform groups such as the Association for Humane Drug Policies and the Norwegian NORML as well as influence from international human rights organizations.[5]

Young Liberals of Norway, the youth league of the Norwegian political party Venstre, support the legalisation and regulation of drugs such as cannabis.

Enforcement

Up to 15 g is considered an amount for personal use, and is punished with a fine in the case of first-time offenders; possessing more is punished more harshly. Repeat offenders or dealers can face prison charges. The type of fine given for drug offences are of the more serious category, and will appear on a criminal record. Young first-time offenders are routinely compelled to consent to regular supervised drug testing to avoid prosecution.[6] Up to 1 kg is punished with up to 2 years in prison. If the amount is larger, the limit is 10 years. Amounts over 80 kg are punished with sentences of 3 to 15 years, and in very serious cases up to 21 years is permitted.[7][8][9][10]

References
  1. "Behandling med medisinsk cannabis innenfor dagens regelverk". Statens Legemiddelverk.
  2. Historisk i Stortinget: Slutt på straff for rusmisbrukere - Rusmidler - VG.no, 13.12.2017
  3. "Mandate for the Drug Policy Working Group". The Office of the Prime Minister.
  4. "The Drug Policy Working Group". The Office of the Prime Minister.
  5. "Cannabis law reform in Norway". NORML Norway.
  6. "Bergen kommune skeptisk til frivillige ruskontrakter" (in Norwegian). Norway: Bergensavisen. 2014-12-27.
  7. "Straffeloven § 162" (in Norwegian). Norway: Lovdata. 2015-09-09.
  8. "Legemiddelloven § 24" (in Norwegian). Norway: Lovdata. 2015-09-09.
  9. "Rundskriv nr. 2, 2014" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Norway: Riksadvokaten. 2014-06-26.
  10. "Mildere straff for hasjbesittelse" (in Norwegian). Norway: VG Nett. 2006-07-20.
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