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These are historic times for Mexico. On June 28, Mexico\u2019s Supreme Court decriminalized the recreational use of cannabis. The Court\u2019s 8-3 ruling came in response to increased calls for decriminalization, with the goal of reducing drug-related cartel violence in the region.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Prohibition was declared unconstitutional in 2018 and was followed by a decriminalization bill signed by Mexico\u2019s president Andrew Manuel Lopez Obrador. <\/p>\n
Congress asked the court for several extensions, arguing the bill required more time due to its technical nature. While the current administration\u2019s ruling Morena party is considered left-leaning, there has been a decisive lack of urgency from President Obrador. <\/p>\n
Rather than forcing Mexican citizens to endure more delays, the court shocked protesters by voting on the issue and expediting access.<\/p>\n
Now, citizens can legally obtain cannabis by applying for a permit from the country\u2019s health regulator, the Federal Commission for Protection against Health Risks (Cofepris). <\/p>\n
With a permit, anyone over 18 years of age can possess up to 28 grams of cannabis. A permit from Cofepris would also allow citizens to grow and harvest cannabis. Possessing more than five grams or selling cannabis will still carry criminal penalties.<\/p>\n
Prior to this ruling, adults could petition for individual injunctions to grow and consume cannabis. The first injunctions were granted in 2015 for four applicants. <\/p>\n
However, after a flood of injunctions followed, the court declared jurisprudence on the issue and ordered congress to draft laws for creating a legal market in 2017.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Medical marijuana has been legal in Mexico since 2017. The court also ruled minors should not consume the substance and those under the influence of cannabis should not drive a motor vehicle.\u00a0<\/p>\n
While many view this as a positive step for Mexico, others feel it doesn\u2019t address the need for a well-regulated legal market in the country. <\/p>\n
In an interview with The Guardian<\/em>, graduate student Ra\u00fal Bejarano said this permit should cost less than the cost of hiring a lawyer to seek an injunction. He is studying cannabis regulation. \u201cThis is probably what the present government was looking for. It exempts them from their responsibility of creating a regulated market,\u201d said Bejarano.<\/p>\n