MEXICO CITY – Mexico took a step closer to legalising marijuana for recreational and medicinal use yesterday as the Senate approved a bill aimed at reducing violence linked to drug trafficking.
The legislation still requires approval by the lower house of Congress, the Chamber of Deputies, which has until December 15 to study and debate it.
“Its objective is to promote peace and security in society, contributing to the reduction of the illegal market for psychoactive cannabis, and with it, organised crime, corruption and violence,” said the Senate in a statement.
The bill was approved by 82 votes in favour, 18 against and seven abstentions.
A landmark Supreme Court ruling in 2015 opened the door to the recreational use of marijuana in Mexico.
But, it is still illegal to carry more than 5g, which will increase to 28g under the proposed law.
Anyone found to be carrying between 28g and 200g will be fined, and anyone with more than 200g could be criminally prosecuted.
Individuals will be allowed to grow six plants per person at home for their own consumption.
As part of their campaign, Mexican pro-legalisation activists have planted a marijuana garden right outside the Senate that has become an oasis for cannabis smokers.
Mexico is plagued by drug-related violence.
Since the government militarised the fight against powerful drug cartels in 2006, there have been around 296,000 murders. – AFP, November 20, 2020
