Understanding that punitive efforts against recreational drug use have failed,

Aware that the decriminalization of recreational drug possession and targeted rehabilitation and social programs have been demonstrated to decrease the negative societal effects associated with substance abuse,

Noting that recreational drug possession charges are a favored tool of legal authorities and governments seeking to marginalize or suppress minorities and political opposition to their governments,

Further noting that nations with rampant corruption within law enforcement authorities are often empowered by the continued criminalization of recreational drug possession to commit violence and other indignities against even non-marginalized demographics,

Unconvinced that the criminalization of individuals in possession of recreational drugs deters recidivism or recreational drug use,

Concluding that the criminalization of recreational drug possession and its resulting consequences for both those truly in possession of such drugs and those falsely accused represents both a grave injustice towards human dignity and a waste of a nation's expenditure,

Hereby:

1. Defines for the purposes of this resolution;

   1. "drug" as a chemical substance which induces psychoactive effects after being consumed, where such a substance is not already considered legal for recreational consumption or a substance used for recognized medical purposes or otherwise as part of recognized sacramental purposes,

   2. "simple drug possession" as the possession of drugs by an individual where such possession is not for the purposes of:

      1. monetary or other forms of material gain or

      2. providing drugs to an individual without their consent or otherwise with malicious intent,

   3. "illicit drug possession" as any possession of drugs outside the parameters established in Articles 1(a) and 1(b),

   4. "drug trafficking" as the illicit smuggling and/or distribution of drugs for monetary or other forms of material gain, and

   5. "drug manufacturing" as the illicit production of drugs for monetary or other forms of material gain.

2. Reaffirms the right of member states to set internal policy regarding drug trafficking, drug manufacturing, illicit drug possession, and the legal distribution and production of drugs, subject to past or future World Assembly resolutions.

3. Requires that member states, within the bounds of any past World Assembly resolutions;

   1. decriminalize the act of simple drug possession and

   2. initiate a review process to re-evaluate the cases of those imprisoned and/or convicted of the act of simple drug possession in order to determine release and/or pardon eligibility given the following considerations:

      1. the time served for the offense(s),

      2. any separate offenses committed in addition to the act of simple drug possession,

      3. the suitability for re-entry into societal participation,

      4. the likelihood of recidivism in regards to other criminal activities, and

      5. the positive benefits of receiving a full pardon for the act of simple drug possession.

4. Strongly urges member states to offer full, unconditional releases and/or pardons for those convicted solely for the act of simple drug possession.

Co-authored by Honeydewistania.