Mexico City – Mexican lawmakers on Wednesday night greenlighted a bill to legalize marijuana for recreational, medical, and scientific uses.
The Mexican legislature’s lower chamber, the Chamber of Deputies, passed the legislation by a 316-129 vote, with 23 abstentions. The ruling followed a decision by the Mexican Supreme Court in 2018 ruling that the federal prohibition of recreational use of the drug is unconstitutional.
The bill will now have to pass Mexico’s upper house of Congress, the Senate, where it is broadly anticipated to be passed. The bill was previously passed by the Senate in November, but it will have to be voted on again following changes made in the lower chamber, to be ratified before April 30.
The legislation as it currently stands allows consumption for recreational purposes for those over 18 years of age, as long as it does not affect third parties, especially minors. In addition, it allows individuals to carry up to 28 grams (1 ounce) of marijuana, but if caught with more than one ounce they would be fined. They could face jail time if they had more than 5.6 kilos (12 pounds).
The bill also contemplates the possibility of establishing cannabis associations to cultivate and possess up to four plants per member and a maximum of 50 plants in total for recreational use.
It emphasizes that the production of cannabis and its derivatives will have the following purposes: Self-consumption: Production at home for personal use for recreational purposes and production by associations of cannabis for consumption by associates for recreational use; production for commercialization and sale for recreational purposes; production for research purposes, and production of hemp for industrial purposes.
A system of licenses has been established that requires individuals, not just associations of users, to have a permit to grow plants for personal use. These licenses are required for the entire chain of production, distribution, transformation and sales.
The bill also mentions that the sale of cannabis and its derivatives for recreational use will be carried out exclusively within the national territory, in establishments authorized by the Commission under the terms of this Law.
In the case of medicinal, palliative, pharmaceutical uses, or for the production of cosmetics, as well as scientific use for said purposes, the provisions of the General Health Law and other applicable regulations will be followed.
Sources: diputados.gob.mx – elpais.com – abc.es
