Mexico Supreme Court Rules Current Marijuana Prohibition Unconstitutional
The bill aims to allow Mexicans above the age of 18 simple marijuana possession and regulate cannabis production for both medicinal and recreational use.
The court has decriminalized private, recreational cannabis use after the landmark bill has stalled in Congress.
The end of June marked the news that Mexico's Supreme Court decriminalized adult use of marijuana, declaring that the plant's prohibition is unconstitutional.
The decision was approved by eight of the 11 judges that voted on June 28, after which court president Arturo Zaldivar remarked it's "a historic day for liberties."
The ruling came after Congress failed (and not for the first time) to respect a previously set deadline, this time by 30 April, to introduce legislation that will greenlight the recreational use of cannabis.
In March, the country's lower house approved the landmark bill, however, the ruling majority in the Senate said in April it was to postpone the final discussion of the landmark law until autumn.
In its current form, the bill aims to legalize adult use of cannabis and introduce industry regulation for medicinal and recreational production. It will enable users above the age of 18 to simple marijuana possession of up to 28 grams and growing a limited number of plants at home for personal use.
The legalization effort in Mexico is seen as a crucial step to reduce drug-related violence that every year contributes to a significant loss of life in the country. The initiative has also been backed by Human Rights Watch.
S
Stephen Andrews
