Mexico Decriminalizes Drug Possession For Personal Use

By Jeralyn, Section Foreign Affairs
Posted on Fri Aug 21, 2009 at 10:18:49 AM EST
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Mexico's new law decriminalizing possession of small amounts of drugs, including marijuana, heroin and cocaine, goes into effect today. The law also provides for drug treatment at the Government's expense.

The law sets out maximum “personal use” amounts for drugs, also including LSD and methamphetamine. People detained with those quantities will no longer face criminal prosecution; the law goes into effect on Friday.

Anyone caught with drug amounts under the personal-use limit will be encouraged to seek treatment, and for those caught a third time treatment is mandatory — although no penalties for noncompliance are specified.

The Mexican Congress passed a law to decriminalize drugs in 2006. Another version passed in 2007. Mexico is smart to realize that taking some pressure off users will free up resources to pursue large-scale traffickers. Will the U.S. get a clue?

< Aspen: Marijuana Dispensaries to Be Zoned Like Pharmacies | Friday Morning Open Thread >

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Mexico Decriminalizes Drug Possession For Personal Use | 14 comments (14 topical)

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Once my wife learns of this, I can expect a call (5.00 / 2) (#2)
by easilydistracted on Fri Aug 21, 2009 at 10:39:58 AM EST

from her along the following lines: "Hon, ya might want to make sure your passport is in order cause you're gonna need it for the commute to work from San Miguel."

We know a Hispanic family (none / 0) (#4)
by Militarytracy on Fri Aug 21, 2009 at 10:47:19 AM EST

who retired out of the Army and then took their retirement to Mexico and I guess its great. All you stoners moving in are going to ruin that market dynamic though.


: Yeah...but it'll be a good "ruin" (5.00 / 1) (#6)
by easilydistracted on Fri Aug 21, 2009 at 10:59:49 AM EST

Viva Mexico!!! (5.00 / 2) (#5)
by kdog on Fri Aug 21, 2009 at 10:48:44 AM EST

Now I really gotta get down there to see the special lady in Guadalajara:)

One of her sisters is up visiting, I got to meet her last week...as we were walking away from police state Times Square to find a place to partake semi-safely she said they are (now were) real strict back home, I wonder if she has heard the good news yet.

Mexico has always been more relaxed (5.00 / 1) (#10)
by sarcastic unnamed one on Fri Aug 21, 2009 at 12:32:18 PM EST

regarding prescription drugs too. Ridiculous stuff that you need to see a doc to get here in the states are available otc in Mexico. If you need a shot, the pharmacist will give it to you.

Arriba! (5.00 / 1) (#13)
by mexboy on Fri Aug 21, 2009 at 05:50:06 PM EST

This will not only free the money spent to pursue the former "crimes," it will also cut police corruption. They will no longer be able to stop someone with a small amount of drugs and extort money from them.

Mexican society has disdain for people who use drugs, so this is huge!

wow (none / 0) (#1)
by Capt Howdy on Fri Aug 21, 2009 at 10:20:58 AM EST

retirement in the sunny south?

Kdog....come back (5.00 / 1) (#3)
by Militarytracy on Fri Aug 21, 2009 at 10:45:41 AM EST

We're sorry


Good one MT (none / 0) (#7)
by dead dancer on Fri Aug 21, 2009 at 11:12:56 AM EST

See you soon Kdog. I assume visitors are welcome!


: More the merrier... (none / 0) (#8)
by kdog on Fri Aug 21, 2009 at 11:15:05 AM EST

only 2 rules, pass the dutchie to the left hand side and no bogarting!

I must say this makes too much (none / 0) (#9)
by Slado on Fri Aug 21, 2009 at 12:01:07 PM EST

sense to ever become law here.

While I understand the thought process behind stopping the demand by criminilizing possesion I can't help but side with Jeralyn that sending someone to jail for being an addict is counter productive.

The only issue is if the state decides using drugs isn't illegal why wouldn't it regulate how it's distributed? If you could use drugs why can't you buy them? Legalizing the use of recreational drugs would deliver a crippling blow to the illegal/criminal distribution of them.

Step in the right direction (none / 0) (#11)
by Sasha CA on Fri Aug 21, 2009 at 01:54:05 PM EST

even if the personal-use limits for some drugs -- specifically heroin and methamphetamine -- are ridiculously low. Most dealers don't even sell amounts that small. The 500 mg maximum for cocaine is a little more reasonable. Wonder why they didn't go with the same amount for heroin and methamphetamine?

mules (none / 0) (#12)
by diogenes on Fri Aug 21, 2009 at 03:48:18 PM EST

There will now be a profitable business for mules carrying small quantities of "personal use" drugs as couriers. I guess that it reduces the unemployment rate.

: I'm not so sure about that (none / 0) (#15)
by Sasha CA on Fri Aug 21, 2009 at 07:43:35 PM EST

These amounts are so small, there'd be very little money in it. In the case of heroin and methamphetamine, you'd be paying someone to walk around with just a couple of dollars worth of drugs. Carrying pot or coke might be a bit more profitable because the personal-use limits for these drugs are somewhat more realistic, but even there, we're talking about very small amounts. Most pot smokers I know like to buy at least a quarter ounce at a time which will still get you busted in Mexico.