Mexico cannabis laws are getting more relaxed, especially after the country’s lower house just passed a bill this past Friday that approves the use of cannabis for medicinal purposes.
Although the bill passed won’t allow marijuana to be smoked, it doest let the country’s Health Department “design public policies to regulate the medicinal use of this plant and its derivatives.”
In an overwhelming 374-7 vote on Friday, it was passed with 11 abstentions that allow growing marijuana for medicinal or scientific purposes.
Now what’s next is for the legislation to go to Mexico’s President Enrique Pena Nieto’s desk to be signed into a law.
The bill will also allow the cultivation of marijuana plants for both scientific purposes and medical use. Industrial products with 1% concentration of THC or less, will be allowed to buy, sell, import and export.
Rep. Rosa Alba Ramirez of the small Citizens’ Movement party stated, “This is not opening the door for a general and unchecked consumption because it includes measures so the health department can ensure it is not being abused or distorted to widen it to recreational use.”
Green Part Rep. Arturo Alvarez commented, “This is a step in the right direction of exploring new alternatives of regulated, legalized and supervised use, and can open up a new front for authorities to combat addictions and the violence that arises from the illicit activities of drug growing, trafficking and consumption.”