Leftists to Propose Raising Marijuana Allowance for Residents in Capital Reuters
go to original February 3, 2014

A man shreds marijuana during a rally to hand out information and collect signatures for marijuana legalization outside the Senate building in Mexico City January 22, 2014. (Reuters/Tomas Bravo)

MEXICO CITY - The opposition party governing Mexico City says it would propose raising the amount of marijuana residents of the capital can possess to seven times the current limit to help speed up drug liberalization in Mexico.

Since former President Felipe Calderon launched a military crackdown on drug cartels seven years ago, Mexico has been wracked by gang-related violence, and there is growing pressure to explore regulation as a way of tackling the problem.

The leftist Party of the Democratic Revolution (PRD) has led the drive to liberalize Mexico's drug laws, and aims to use the capital, which it has governed since 1997, as starting ground.

Vidal Llerenas, a PRD member of the Mexico City assembly, said the initiative that is due to be presented in the next two weeks would increase the amount of marijuana local residents are allowed for personal consumption to 35 grams from 5 grams.

"The proposal basically ensures that people in possession of a reasonable quantity of marijuana will not be prosecuted," said Llerenas. "What can we do to lower the social costs of drug use? Part of the answer is regulation and part is decriminalization."

In 2009, Mexico made it legal to carry up to 5 grams (0.18 ounce) of marijuana, 500 milligrams (0.018 ounce) of cocaine and tiny amounts of heroin and methamphetamines.

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