What I suggest is not legalization, but decriminalization. By legalizing, we are saying it's okay to take a drug. We believe it is better decriminalized. Why? Marijuana accounts for 90% of drug consumption. If the police is not engaged jailed for smaller consumers may focus more on fighting drugs and hard drugs. [That means] more effectively, better training and a way to solve the main problem: the control of corruption among the police.

It is not reasonable or feasible to ask for decriminalization in a single country. So let's send our report to the UN, we need a global coordination in the fight against drugs.

Fernando Henrique Cardoso

Co-Chair of the Latin American Commission on Drugs and Democracy

Related

• Interview on Foreign Policy
• Ex-presidents recognize the failed war on drugs