Photo: elpablo
Back in February, Matador reported that several Latin American countries were considering changing the region’s strategy in the war on drugs. Mexico followed up yesterday.
It was a small item in today’s New York Times: “Mexico Legalizes Drug Possession.”
But the news may have big implications for drug policy in the Americas.
Mexico’s federal government passed a law yesterday that decriminalizes possession of small amounts of marijuana, as well as cocaine, heroin, meth, and LSD.
The law, which established legal limits for personal possession, represents a shift from a punitive drug policy to one that treats drugs as a public health issue. If successful, the law may serve as a model for other countries in the region.
The law went into effect today.
Community Connection:
Drugs can be taken too far, of course. Read about Bolivia’s cocaine bars and weigh in: Do these represent a “Latin American Adventure or Playing With Fire?”
About the Author
More By This Author
- Matador Meets the New York Times & The Sunday Telegraph (5 comments)
- Meet a Matador Editor: Carlo Alcos (15 comments)
- Anna Brones Launches a Social Media Start-Up (8 comments)
Related Posts
5 Comments... join the discussion!
-
-
-
First parts/all mexico bans plastic bottles, now this… hey america get off your high horse (no pun intended) and make some changes for the better!!!
↵ -
uuuuh I mean plastic bags……. thanks either way mexico.. this TEXAS lady will be visiting ya sometime soon!
↵ -
I really don’t want to follow Mexico as a model for anything, people leave there for better lives, just like my family….
↵
