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Gold9472
04-28-2006, 03:39 PM
Mexico proposes decriminalizing pot and cocaine

http://today.reuters.com/news/articlenews.aspx?type=topNews&storyid=2006-04-28T164933Z_01_N281836_RTRUKOC_0_US-MEXICO-DRUGS.xml

Fri Apr 28, 2006 12:49pm ET

MEXICO CITY (Reuters) - Owning 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 Congress.

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, under a bill passed by senators late on Thursday and earlier approved by the lower house.

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

The government says the measure allows police to focus on major drug dealers, and President 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.

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.

EminemsRevenge
04-28-2006, 09:25 PM
Viva la revolucion...

http://guevariste.ifrance.com/che%20guevara%20(1)%20copier.jpg

Now let's show some solidarity by boycotting on Monday...

Gold9472
05-03-2006, 08:28 AM
Mexico's Fox to Sign Bill Legalizing Drugs

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/M/MEXICO_DRUGS?SITE=LAMON&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT

By MARK STEVENSON
Associated Press Writer

MEXICO CITY (AP) -- Mexican President Vicente Fox will sign into law a measure that decriminalizes the possession of small amounts of marijuana, cocaine, heroin and other drugs for personal use, his spokesman said Tuesday.

Spokesman Ruben Aguilar defended the law, which was approved Friday by Mexico's Senate, despite criticism in the United States that it could increase casual drug use.

"The president is going to sign this law," said Aguilar, who called the legislation "a better tool ... that allows better action and better coordination in the fight against drug dealing."

"The government believes that this law represents progress, because it established the minimum quantities that a citizen can carry for personal use," Aguilar said.

Under current Mexican law, judges can drop charges against people caught with drugs if they can prove they are addicts and if an expert certifies they were caught with "the quantity necessary for personal use."

The new bill makes the decriminalization automatic and drops the addict requirement - automatically letting any "consumers" have drugs.

While police will still be able to detain people for public consumption or possession of drugs, it appears that those caught could only be referred to a treatment program - of which Mexico has few - or have their names added to a registry of addicts.

On Friday, Mayor Jerry Sanders of San Diego, said he was "appalled" by the bill. The city of 1.3 million people is a short drive from the Mexican border town of Tijuana.

"I certainly think we are going to see more drugs available in the United States," Sanders said. "We need to register every protest the American government can muster."

Under the new law, consumers may possess up to 25 milligrams of heroin, five grams of marijuana (about one-fifth of an ounce, or about four joints), or 0.5 grams of cocaine - the equivalent of about four "lines," or half the standard street-sale quantity.

The law also establishes allowable quantities for other drugs, including LSD, ecstasy - about two pills' worth - and amphetamines.

However, the bill stiffens penalties for trafficking and possession of drugs - even small quantities - by government employees or near schools, and it maintains criminal penalties for drug sales.

It also gives local police more power to go after small-scale dealing.

princesskittypoo
05-05-2006, 02:16 PM
Mexico proposes decriminalizing pot and cocaine

http://today.reuters.com/news/articlenews.aspx?type=topNews&storyid=2006-04-28T164933Z_01_N281836_RTRUKOC_0_US-MEXICO-DRUGS.xml

Fri Apr 28, 2006 12:49pm ET

MEXICO CITY (Reuters) - Owning 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 Congress.

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, under a bill passed by senators late on Thursday and earlier approved by the lower house.

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

The government says the measure allows police to focus on major drug dealers, and President 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.

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.


I never thought about this before but i guess i just assumed it was legal there to have drugs like these because of all the drugs coming through the border here.

Partridge
05-05-2006, 02:52 PM
Oh, they backed down, apparently 'under pressure from the US' who had concerns about 'drug tourism'.

Not surprising really. Maybe could have solved some of the immigration issues - lots of rich US 'drug tourists' would provide a LOT of new jobs for Mexicans, in agriculture, retail, tourist sector etc.

Oh well.

I wonder what Obrador will do about it if/when he's elected later this year.