Mexico Court Ruling Sparks High Hopes for Marijuana Legalization

In court, the debate over the ruling – which challenged the federal General Health Act – touched on topics ranging from the right of self-determination to the importance of debating an issue as Mexico is wracked by violence associated with drug cartels.

Mexico could be one step closer to marijuana legalization after a breakthrough ruling will grant individuals the right to grow and use the drug for personal use.

Mike Vigil, a former DEA agent who worked in Mexico for 13 years, joined The Takeaway to discuss the importance of the court ruling.

Unlike in the United States, public opinion in Mexico is overwhelmingly against legalizing pot, which is why SMART chose the judicial road instead pursuing a legislative approach.

Clearly, legalizing marijuana produces good outcomes when used in medical treatment, however, it should not be overlooked that the use of recreational marijuana has been been highly associated with crimes.

The case represented the efforts of a prominent Mexican anticrime group, Mexico United Against Crime, to change ineffective drug laws.

Men hold signs during a demonstration in support of the legalisation of marijuana outside the Supreme Court building in Mexico City, Mexico, November 4, 2015. Additionally, American states with legal marijuana industries have significantly cut into demand for Mexican cannabis in the USA – a trend that’s likely to increase as more states push for legalization.

Alberto Islas, a security consultant, said he expected marijuana to be legalised within the next three or four years, and that drug policy would be a key issue in the 2018 presidential race. Many have questioned whether imprisoning drug users in a country with conservative drug laws is effective. “Any illegal business can not compete with a legal business except for under extraordinary circumstances”.

Marijuana is the capital’s best-selling drug, and drug “shops” in Tepito usually shift 200-300 kilograms every two weeks, he said. Those drug conventions, however, allow member states are a certain amount of flexibility in how they implement drug regulations.

With marijuana already so cheap, and any legalization likely to increase supply and lower prices further, Lara said cartels would be forced to drop the unprofitable product.

Research by brokerage Convergex on marijuana prices in Colorado, which legalized its use and sale in 2012, showed that the average price of an eighth of an ounce fell from $50-$70 in June 2014 to $30-$45 in June this year. They don’t think it is fair to imprison their poor farmers when it is legal in other places. All the water pours out.

The decision comes at a time when neighboring United States is grappling with the implementation of laws meant to legalize smoking pot in the country.

President Enrique Pena Nieto, via his Twitter account, said he recognizes and will respect the ruling, adding that he has given his government orders to explain to Mexicans the scope of the ruling.