Mexico set to decriminalize pot and cocaine

[Rutger]

By Noel Randewich

MEXICO CITY (Reuters) - Possessing marijuana, cocaine and even heroin will no longer be a crime in Mexico if the drugs are carried in small amounts for personal use, under legislation passed by the Mexican Congress.

The measure given final passage by senators late on Thursday allows police to focus on their battle against major drug dealers, the government says, and President Vicente Fox is expected to sign it into law.

"This law provides more judicial tools for authorities to fight crime," presidential spokesman Ruben Aguilar said on Friday. The measure was approved earlier by the lower house.

Under the legislation, police will not penalize people for possessing up to 5 grams of marijuana, 5 grams of opium, 25 milligrams of heroin or 500 milligrams of cocaine.

People caught with larger quantities of drugs will be treated as narcotics dealers and face increased jail terms under the plan.

The legal changes will also decriminalize the possession of limited quantities of other drugs, including LSD, hallucinogenic mushrooms, amphetamines and peyote -- a psychotropic cactus found in Mexico's northern deserts.

Hundreds of people, including several police officers, have been killed in the past year as drug cartels battle authorities and compete with each other for control of lucrative cocaine, marijuana and heroin smuggling routes from Mexico into the United States.

The violence has raged mostly in northern Mexico but in recent months has spread south to cities like vacation resort Acapulco.

Under current law, it is up to local judges and police to decide on a case-by-case basis whether people should be prosecuted for possessing small quantities of drugs, a source at the Senate's health commission told Reuters.

"The object of this law is to not put consumers in jail, but rather those who sell and poison," said Sen. Jorge Zermeno of the ruling National Action Party.

Fifty-three senators voted for the bill with 26 votes against it.

Hector Michel Camarena, an opposition senator from the Institutional Revolutionary Party, warned that although well intentioned, the law may go too far.

"There are serious questions we have to carefully analyze so that through our spirit of fighting drug dealing, we don't end up legalizing," he said. "We have to get rid of the concept of the (drug) consumer."

 

[HeartCore]

Good start although I wonder who decided that carrying 30mg of heroin, makes you a dealer.

But lets not complain, I specifically like the fact that this is a big one up VS's anus considering they are illegally invading Mexico, kidnapping Mexican citizens to bring them before an american court.

 

[Ilian]

Yeah this is great news, lets hope many nations follow

 

[shrmd]

That is good news now the rest of the world must follow Mexico and give the people there freedom

 

[tryptonaut]

Good start although I wonder who decided that carrying 30mg of heroin, makes you a dealer.

The same with 500mg of cocaine. No dealer would ever have less than a gram with him.

But hey, I'm not complaining, I'd rather like Germany to follow that example (however they're gonna argue "Mexico cannot be an example for us because it is a third world country") :(

 

[Dr. Leospace]

Unfortunately the new law was stopped by the biggest terrorist country again:

:evil: :evil: :evil:

---

BOWING TO U.S. PRESSURE, FOX BACKS OFF DRUG PROPOSAL

Decriminalization Measure Sent Back To Mexico Lawmakers

MEXICO CITY -- Mexican President Vicente Fox refused to sign a drug decriminalization bill Wednesday, hours after U.S. officials warned the plan could encourage "drug tourism."

Fox sent the measure back to Congress for changes, but his office did not mention the U.S. criticism.

"Without underestimating the progress made on the issue, and with sensitivity toward the opinions expressed by various sectors of society, the administration has decided to suggest changes," according to a statement from his office.

Fox said he will ask "Congress to make the needed corrections to make it absolutely clear in our country, the possession of drugs and their consumption are, and will continue to be, a criminal offense."

On Tuesday, Fox's spokesman had called the bill "an advance" and pledged the president would sign it. But the measure, passed Friday by Congress, drew a storm of criticism because it eliminates criminal penalties for possession of small amounts of heroin, methamphetamines and PCP, as well as marijuana and cocaine.

Weighing in, the U.S. government Wednesday expressed a rare public objection to an internal Mexican political development, saying anyone caught with illegal drugs in Mexico should be prosecuted or given mandatory drug treatment.

"U.S. officials ... urged Mexican representatives to review the legislation urgently, to avoid the perception that drug use would be tolerated in Mexico, and to prevent drug tourism," U.S. Embassy spokeswoman Judith Bryan said.

There are concerns the measure could increase drug use by border visitors and U.S. students who flock to Mexico on vacation.

Bryan said the U.S. government wants Mexico "to ensure that all persons found in possession of any quantity of illegal drugs be prosecuted or be sent into mandatory drug treatment programs."

The legislature has adjourned for the summer, and when it comes back, it will have an entirely new lower house and one-third new Senate members following the July 2 elections.

However, Sen. Jorge Zermeno, of Fox's conservative National Action Party -- a supporter of the bill -- said he thought Congress would be open to changing the legislation to delete a clause that extends to all "consumers" the exemption from prosecution that was originally meant to cover only recognized drug addicts.

 

[Ilian]

it was too good to be true :/

 

[Rutger]

That is so fucked up. They will pressure Mexico into changing there laws just because in their opinion it can hurt US citizens. That is even worst, there not concerned with Mexican citicens just with how it would effect them.

People from the US do not have to go to Mexico and those studends are already misbehaving there with there Spring break and other holiday crap.

US behaviour is so like a small child that is given too much power. They will deside what is best for the rest of the world, when will they learn ? I can awnser that : never !

 

[Guest]

Man this must deffinately be the quote of the month!

US behaviour is so like a small child that is given too much power. They will deside what is best for the rest of the world, when will they learn ? I can awnser that : never !