Leftist Mexican Lawmakers Present Initiative to Legalize Medical Marijuana Reuters
go to original February 19, 2014

Politicians in Mexico have introduced a bill that would decriminalize marijuana. The authorities say this is not legalization and is aimed at breaking the power of the drug cartels. (Euronews)

MEXICO CITY - Left-wing Mexican senators on Tuesday presented an initiative to legalize medical marijuana, saying a new approach was needed to speed up drug liberalization and help end a cycle of cartel violence that has killed tens of thousands.

Mexico has been shaken by a wave of gang-related violence since former President Felipe Calderon launched a military crackdown on drug cartels seven years ago, and there is growing pressure both domestically and regionally to explore new ways of tackling the problem.

"Seventy thousand dead, 26,000 disappeared and an incalculable number of internally displaced are more than sufficient reason to look for an alternative model," congressman Fernando Belaunzaran told reporters.

The proposal is one of several efforts by members of the leftist Party of the Democratic Revolution (PRD) to decriminalize cannabis.

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