Decriminalization

A collection of resources discussing Decriminalization.

Thailand, once known for its tough war on drugs and strict laws, is making a dramatic shift. After years of leading Asia in incarceration rates and being linked to the drug trade from the infamous Golden Triangle, the country is now taking a bold step: legalizing medical marijuana. Supporters believe this move could transform lives—helping farmers earn more, boosting the economy, and even offering treatment for serious illnesses like cancer. It's a major change that's drawing global attention. As the new law rolls out, 101 East explores whether these big promises are real solutions or just political talk.

News / TV Specials, Addiction

Portugal’s War on Drugs (2021)

Decriminalization, Drug Trafficking, Frontline Workers, Harm Reduction, Law Enforcement, Open-Air Drug Markets, Personal Stories, Portugal

Over twenty years ago, Portugal decriminalized drug use in 2001. This country went from being known as 'the heroin capital of Europe' to a global leader in the war on drugs. SBS Dateline travels to in Lisbon to find out what Australia can learn from Portugal's radical approach.

News / TV Specials, Addiction

Is Thailand the New Weed Capital of the World?

Cannabis, Decriminalization, Thailand

Thailand has made a dramatic shift in its cannabis policy, moving from strict prohibition to partial decriminalization—igniting a billion-dollar industry. The legal ambiguity has sparked celebration among cannabis enthusiasts. Cannabis has long played a role in traditional Thai medicine, but in the 1970s, Thailand aligned with the U.S.-led 'war on drugs,' classifying cannabis as a narcotic and imposing harsh penalties. That changed in June 2022, when the government removed cannabis from the narcotics list, effectively decriminalizing its sale and personal use. As Australia revisits its own cannabis laws, Southeast Asia correspondent Mazoe Ford travels across Thailand to meet a new wave of ‘ganja-preneurs’ seizing the opportunities of this booming green economy.

News / TV Specials, Addiction

On the Frontline of Thailand’s War on Drugs

Cannabis, Decriminalization, Methamphetamine, Personal Stories, Thailand, Yaba

Thailand has had some of the strictest drug laws in the world, but they began changing this approach in 2022 by legalizing cannabis in an attempt to lessen the prison population and bring tourists back. SBS Dateline investigates Thailand's war on drugs by speaking with various frontline workers, from an elite task force that fights drug trafficking to social workers and people with lived experience. They discuss the legalization / decriminalization of cannabis, the widespread use of yaba, a type of methamphetamine, and how their harsh drug policy overwhelmed the prison system.

Addiction, Documentaries

Stigmatic: Our Opioid Crisis (Stigma & Addiction)

Decriminalization, Fentanyl, Harm Reduction, Opioid Crisis, Opioid Use Disorder, Personal Stories, Pharmaceuticals, Recovery, Stigma, USA

This documentary delves into the origins and far-reaching impact of the opioid crisis. Featuring interviews with individuals affected by opiate addiction — including law enforcement, healthcare professionals, and those in recovery — the film offers an unvarnished look at the differing opinions within the activist community on contentious approaches to addressing the epidemic. Through these honest conversations, it becomes clear that one pervasive challenge lies at the core of the crisis: stigma.

Addiction, Documentaries

Painkiller: Inside the Opioid Crisis in Canada

Canada, Decriminalization, Harm Reduction, Non-Profits, Opioid Crisis, Opioid Use Disorder, Personal Stories, Pharmaceuticals, Stigma

Nominated for Canadian Screen Award, this documentary covers the opioid crisis in Canada. “It features interviews with families who have lost loved ones, as well as healthcare workers and policy experts who question a health system that favors corporate profits over patients.” For example, they talk about the overprescribing of prescription medications, and how little to no punishments have been handed out. This documentary also advocates for harm reduction as a crucial way to combat this crisis.

Addiction, Documentaries

Kensington: Inside America’s Largest Open-Air Drug Market

Decriminalization, Non-Profits, Open-Air Drug Markets, Prevention & Treatment, Public Health, USA, Youth

Peter Santello creates “videos about a world the media fails to capture” (source). In this video, he travels to Kensington, Philadelphia to speak with a local man named Buddy Osborn, who reached out to him to tell him about “the horrific realities of open-air drug markets.” Buddy and his organization, The Rock, help “to get kids out of crime and drugs and into a healthier environment built upon confidence and clarity.”

Addiction, Documentaries

The New Zealand War on Drugs – WASTED with Guyon Epsiner

Decriminalization, Harm Reduction, Homelessness, Law Enforcement, Methamphetamine, New Zealand, Poverty, Public Health, Stigma, Stimulants

Guyon Epsiner takes a closer look at the “war on drugs” through the lens of methamphetamine, a drug many New Zealanders consider to be the most dangerous. He talks to police, Australian politicians, treatment providers, and the Drug Foundation, but the real heart of the story comes from speaking with people who’ve lived through it themselves, diving into their personal experiences and struggles.