In constant struggle for the regulation of cannabis, mainly in the medicinal field.
11-04-2016 07:00:01 - Updated: 11 April, 2016
In Mexico, the current marijuana situation is complex. Although medicinal and scientific consumption of marijuana has been legal since 2017, and marijuana seeds have been available for purchase in Mexico for years, recreational consumption remains illegal. However, in 2021 the Supreme Court of Justice of the Nation declared unconstitutional the prohibition of the recreational use of marijuana.
This historic decision has opened a debate on the future of marijuana in Mexico. Many experts believe that the legalization of cannabis could have a positive impact on the country’s economy and the fight against drug trafficking.
The history of marijuana in Mexico can be traced back to pre-Hispanic times. Ancient Mexicans used the plant for medicinal and religious purposes. During colonial times, the Spanish prohibited its use and associated it with pagan practices. In the 20th century, Mexico became one of the world’s leading producers and exporters of marijuana.
As for future projections, many experts believe that cannabis legalization could have a positive impact on the country’s economy and on the fight against drug trafficking. It could also have a positive impact on public health by reducing the risks associated with the black market2.
In short, although recreational marijuana use remains illegal in Mexico, the Supreme Court’s historic decision has opened a debate on the future of this plant in the country. The history of marijuana in Mexico is long and complex, but many experts believe that its legalization could have a positive impact on the country’s economy and the fight against drug trafficking.
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Acquitted an association of smoking
This debate arises from a recent ruling by the Supreme Court that has first authorized consumption, culture, transport and possession of marijuana to an smoking association of nonprofit. Although the court decision affects only the four promoters of this organization, it is clear which is an open door for other citizens in the same circumstances, can get to claim the same as the non-profit association. Thus, the judges of the Supreme Court have primacy of individual freedom against ‘damage to public and general health‘ is claimed by Mexican laws.
It is an offense carrying more than 5 grams
In Mexico you can carry up to 5 grams of cannabis without involving repeal the laws. But if this amount is exceeded, the prison sentences for offenses relating to the possession or trafficking of drugs range from 5-15 years for tenure and between 10 and 25 years in the case of drug trafficking. In Mexico, it is considered federal crime and as such the enforcement of the sentence is carried out in federal prisons also, the internal system is generally much harder than in state. Merely drugs in Mexico can attract undue attention of organized crime. There have been cases of abduction and torture of consumers (including foreigners), to question about their suppliers that apparently belonged to rival distribution networks. So caution!!.
Nevertheless, cannabis enjoys great popularity among many Mexican citizens. According to a study by the Institute for the Care and Prevention of Addictions of the Mexican capital, reveals that a third of citizens have a relative or friend who smokes marijuana, the same study also says that 30% of the Mexican population have been invited to any drugs given away.
In this country there are many supporters of legalizing marijuana, many of them well documented, researches and great political weight. This is the case of Juan Ramon de la Fuente, psychiatrist (former rector of the UNAM National Autonomous University of Mexico and at the time Mexican Health Minister), which is in favor of the Mexican state to regulate the market millionaire marijuana, millionaire twice over both consumers money generated by its sale.
Juan Ramon de la Fuente says you have to stop the real perpetrators of this huge market and not to users in Mexico that have passed through the prison around 150,000 young people for the sake of having marijuana, albeit in small quantities. This psychiatrist also offers a revealing fact is that the drugs have a different addictive effects depending on its composition: Marijuana has a 9% addictive effect and the alcohol (legal and much more acceptance that cannabis) has 15% of addictive effect, and snuff 32%. Source also provides clinical data that are proven benefits of cannabis, such as multiple sclerosis, depression or diabetes.
As data, one must also say that a survey conducted in November 2015 by the Center of Social Studies and Public Opinion of the Mexican Chamber of Deputies, reflected that 76% of Mexican guaranteed the legalization of marijuana for medical purposes.
Coffee shop just for some privileged
In the district of Santa Fe (Mexico City) and close to the most expensive universities in the country, there is a bar where you can buy and consume drugs. Yes, the price is only for few privileged. This place can mingle ‘good kids‘ of Mexico and the police, in view of those who are its select clients usually do ‘blind eye’.
The church, in favor of marijuana
Last December, the Mexican Archbishop Norberto Ribera was in favor of the medicinal use of marijuana. His sentence has been around for many Latin American countries was: “The Church has never had any problem recommending that all elements of nature that serve health, for a better life of citizens, be exploited“.
Indeed, Pope Francisco travels to Mexico in mid-February, and who knows if they will deliver speeches in their multitudinous few words on this subject …
By Noelia Jiménez, Team Piensa En Verde
