Why This Lawmaker Refuses To Take A Mandatory Drug Test: Drama In The Chilean Congress
By Javier Hasse via El Planteo
A political storm has erupted in Chile’s Chamber of Deputies following Ana María Gazmuri’s refusal to comply with a mandatory biannual drug test. As a result, she was penalized with a 15% salary reduction, igniting a broader debate on the country’s drug policies and personal rights.
Rather than backing down, Gazmuri published a lengthy OpEd piece in BioBioChile, where she condemned the flaws in the regulation, calling it poorly designed, lacking transparency and infringing on fundamental rights. This stance aligns with her long history of drug policy activism, reinforcing the broader shift in Chile’s approach to cannabis and other substances.
‘I Will Not Betray My Principles’
In her column, Gazmuri clarified that her refusal is not an attempt to hide illegal drug use but rather a way to expose the regulatory failures behind the test. She believes the measure is more punitive than preventive.
“I will not take the test until it is properly implemented, ensuring sufficient transparency and privacy protections for all individuals,” she asserted.
A longtime medical cannabis user with a valid prescription, Gazmuri also disclosed her medically guided use of psilocybin mushrooms. However, she emphasized that her refusal is unrelated to this, as the drug test does not detect psilocybin. Addressing speculation about her decision, she stated:
“Some have suggested that my refusal to take the test is to hide …