[MMM]

Originally Posted by Sangetsu

Portugal did not in any way legalize drugs. The only thing that has changed is that those who possess small amounts of drugs for personal use are not criminally prosecuted. However, they are still subject to arrest, and when arrested are taken to a special commissioner who counsels them on the problems of drug use and addiction. They are also fined, and required to perform community service or other acts as a penalty.

Drug dealers, and those who possess larger amounts of drugs face the same criminal prosecution that they always have.

The success of drug decriminalization in Portugal - Glenn Greenwald - Salon.com

In 2001, Portugal became the only EU-member state to decriminalize drugs, a distinction which continues through to the present.

Drugs: To Legalize or Not - WSJ.com

A most impressive experiment has been underway in Portugal since 2001, when that country decriminalized the possession and personal use of all psychotropic drugs. According to a study just published by the Cato Institute, "judged by virtually every metric," the Portuguese decriminalization "has been a resounding success."

5 Years After: Portugal's Drug Decriminalization Policy Shows Positive Results: Scientific American

In the face of a growing number of deaths and cases of HIV linked to drug abuse, the Portuguese government in 2001 tried a new tack to get a handle on the problem—it decriminalized the use and possession of heroin, cocaine, marijuana, LSD and other illicit street drugs.