Ever since marijuana was banned as a drug, controversies regarding it recreational, as well as medical use have been a huge part of any major country’s internal struggles. Now that Colombia, known for its illegal drug issues, has legalized the plant for medical use, Mexico to hold momentous debate on marijuana legalization.
- 23 of the United States have legalized the herb for medical use, while 4 legalized it for recreational use
- Colombia and Uruguay have regulated medical or non-medical markets, while Chile is considering legalization
- Mexico’s President, Enrique Pena Nieto, is opposed to the legalization, but is open to debate
- 5 public forums will be held in order to decide the fate of marijuana’s legal status in the country
- 2% of all Mexican middle school and high school children use drugs, primarily marijuana
After Colombia finally decided to do something about its drug laws and legalized marijuana for medical use, Mexico’s President, Enrique Pena Nieto finally decided to have a nation-wide debate on the legality of marijuana use.
Because drug use is such a serious issue in the country, with 17.2% of middle school and high school children using, the country’s government decided to hold 5 separate public forums, as the matter cannot be left to improvisation.
The first debate has already taken place and it was streamed online, as the other ones will most likely be.
The main argument for legalization is that it will drastically stop cartel profits and drug related violence, but the country’s president doesn’t seem to agree to that.
He did say, however, that he is fully open to change the laws in order to improve the quality of life of the Mexican people.
This means that marijuana will most likely be legalized for medical use, while it will remain illegal for recreational use.
Medical use of the substance is not a novelty in the country, as a family won a lawsuit allowing them to import cannabis oil based medicine to treat their daughter’s epilepsy. Other families of epileptic children have gone through the same process since then.
So far, the legalization and the opposition sides seem to be equally matched, and the debate will last until about April.
By then, regardless of the conclusion, the legal situation of marijuana use in Mexico will most likely be decided.
Image source: Wikimedia
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