Brazil drug policy changes could worsen the problem

Significance On June 12, the Commission of Constitution and Justice of the Chamber of Deputies approved the proposed amendment. Lower House President Arthur Lira has now created a special commission to review and evaluate the proposal, which will be voted on in a plenary session following that review. Impacts An increase in already overcrowded prison populations could bring further security risks. Further congressional pushback may ensue, should the Supreme Court declare an eventual reform unconstitutional. Drug policy risks becoming hostage to political polarisation rather than being defined by evidence-based approaches.