Mexico Court Ruling Might Lead to Marijuana Legalization

The Mexican Supreme Court ruled this week to allow a group to legally use marijuana for recreational purposes, a decision that could potentially lead to nationwide legalization.

The 4-1 decision by the Mexican Supreme Court allows the small group of citizens to cultivate, transport and consume marijuana for recreational use. The court also declared five articles of a health act unconstitutional. The articles had banned the use and cultivation of marijuana.

The group’s representatives successfully claimed in court that the current drug policy has been ineffective and interferes with the private lives of individuals.

The court’s ruling reveals there “exists an excessive, intrusive and unnecessary prohibition” against marijuana, stated a member of a Mexican pro-marijuana group.

Mexico recently decriminalized the possession of up to 5 grams of marijuana and a half gram of cocaine, but production and distribution remain illegal. Meanwhile, Mexico President Enrique Peña Nieto has consistently opposed the legalization of all drugs, but mentioned via Twitter that he respected and recognized the court’s decision.

A member of the US-based Drug Policy Alliance stated: “This vote by Mexico’s Supreme Court is extraordinary for two reasons: It is being argued on human rights grounds and it is taking place in one of the countries that has suffered the most from the war on drugs.”