Advocates Call on Lawmakers for Total Legalization of Marijuana in Mexico Franc Contreras - CGTN America
go to original June 27, 2017

Advocates are applauding the Mexican government’s decision to legalize the medical use of marijuana. But the move is prompting calls to remove all restrictions on the use of the much-maligned plants and their by-products. (CGTN America)

Mexico’s new law now classifies the psychoactive ingredient in marijuana, Tetrahydrocannabinol - better known as THC - as “therapeutic.”

A few years back, public opinion polls indicated that most Mexican 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. Here 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 the recreational, personal use of it.

On the border to the north, the U.S. 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.

Related: Mexico Joins Canada in Making Cannabis Legal, Leaving the US Far Behind in Marijuana Policy (Entrepreneur)

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