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10:05, 27-Jun-2017
Advocates call for complete legalization of marijuana in Mexico
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By CGTN's Franc Contreras
Advocates have applauded the Mexican government’s decision to legalize the medical use of marijuana. But the move prompted calls to remove all restrictions on the use of the much-maligned plant and its by-products.
Mexico’s new law now classifies the psychoactive ingredient in marijuana, Tetrahydrocannabinol- better known as THC – as “therapeutic.”
A participant smokes a marijuana joint during the Global Marijuana March 2017, in support of the legalization of marijuana in Mexico City, Mexico, May 6, 2017. /VCG Photo
A participant smokes a marijuana joint during the Global Marijuana March 2017, in support of the legalization of marijuana in Mexico City, Mexico, May 6, 2017. /VCG Photo
A few years back, public opinion polls indicated that most Mexicans opposed such a law. But the controversial measure easily passed both houses of Congress.
Mexico’s Lower House overwhelmingly approved the bill in late April. But Mexican President Enrique Pena waited more than a month – until tight state elections were over — before making medical marijuana the law of the land.
But recreational use of marijuana is still a long way off. Mexican law permits one ounce of marijuana for personal use. In the capital, that has led to the opening of several smoke shops.
And now that Mexico has legalized medical and scientific use of marijuana, there are those who believe that the next step is to legalize its recreational use.
On the border to the north, the US state of California will make recreational use of marijuana legal starting in January 2018. That’s expected to place economic pressure on Mexico to do the same.