Mexican Government Favors Decriminalizing - Not Legalizing - Marijuana Latin American Herald Tribune
go to original August 12, 2013

MEXICO CITY – Mexico should continue on the path to decriminalizing marijuana but not shift course and legalize the drug, a step that could lead to increased consumption, a senior government official said.

“It’s important to make it clear that decriminalizing is not the same as legalizing: decriminalizing implies a benefit for the consumer, for the addict, not for the supplier, for the trafficker,” Roberto Campa, deputy secretary for Prevention and Citizen Participation, said at a press conference.

U.S. states that have decriminalized cannabis typically impose civil fines or mandatory drug education or drug treatment for possession, as opposed to incarcerating or filing criminal charges against users. On the other hand, he added, “legalizing implies a decision to completely resolve the problem throughout the supply chain.”

Campa said a debate on the legalization of marijuana in Mexico must take into account the levels of consumption because “many people could be affected” by such a step.

Read the rest at Latin American Herald Tribune

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