Legalizing Marijuana in Mexico City Could Create a Domino Effect William Smith - PolicyMic
go to original October 20, 2013

Mexico is known for many things: tequila, the Aztecs, and almost unimaginable levels of violence associated with the war on drugs. But the last one may change, at least a little, if several lawmakers in the nation’s capital get their way.

Legislators in Mexico City are proposing to decriminalize small amounts of marijuana possession — up to an ounce; currently, possession up to a sixth of an ounce is legal — and to establish “cannabis clubs” which would grow the plants for their members. The proposal, supported by the mayor of Mexico City, Miguel Mancera, comes on the heels of Washington and Colorado lifting restrictions and Uruguay’s lower house voting to legalize marijuana, as well as a rally in favor of legalization. Assemblyman Vidal Llerenas explained the motivation and goals of the proposal: “The war against drugs is a failure …. We cannot hope for a drug-free world. But we can hope to limit the damage and take the profits away from organized crime.”

Contrary to the hopes of the drug war’s advocates, the criminalization of drugs has increased violence and social decay — a staggering 60,000 people have been killed over the past six years in Mexico because of the drug war.

The criminalization of drugs is, metaphorically, a cure that is worse than the disease itself.

Read the rest at PolicyMic

We invite you to add your charity or supporting organizations' news stories and coming events to PVAngels so we can share them with the world. Do it now!