Maceió Approves Law That Fines Those Who Smoke Marijuana in Public Places

The Municipal Chamber of Maceió enacted a new law last Thursday (17) that provides for fines for those caught smoking marijuana in public places, such as squares, parks, and boardwalks. 

The new legislation stipulates a fine of R$ 700 for those caught consuming the substance in these environments. In cases of recurrence, the penalty amount will be doubled. The funds collected will be allocated to the Municipal Guard, aiming to improve surveillance services in the city. According to the councilman, the consumption of illicit drugs in public places negatively affects the quality of life of residents and compromises public safety.

Leonardo Dias emphasized that existing legislation already punishes the consumption of cigarettes in public spaces and argued that the same rigor should be applied to the use of illicit drugs. In addition to this measure, the councilman has been reinforcing the implementation of anti-drug policies in the municipality, such as the requirement to post awareness campaign posters in all public and private schools in the city, an action approved the previous year.

The councilman also recently established a partnership with the Metropolitan Archdiocese of Maceió to promote actions for the reception and recovery of drug dependents. The initiative seeks to strengthen public policies aimed at preventing and combating drug use in the Alagoan capital.