Anti Federalist
06-22-2009, 06:55 PM
Mexico expected to enact liberalized drug law (http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2009366964_mexdrug22.html)
The Mexican legislature has voted quietly to decriminalize possession of small amounts of marijuana, cocaine, methamphetamine, heroin and other drugs. Past efforts have proved highly controversial, most recently three years ago, but President Felipe Calderón is expected to sign the bill into law this time.
By Tracy Wilkinson
About the bill:
Users caught with small amounts of drugs clearly intended for "personal and immediate use" would not be criminally prosecuted. Instead, they would be told of available clinics and encouraged to enter a rehabilitation program. Among the most common substances, permitted amounts would be five grams of marijuana, 500 milligrams of cocaine, 40 milligrams of methamphetamine and 50 milligrams of heroin.
MEXICO CITY — Will Mexican cities become Latin Amsterdams, flooded by drug users seeking penalty-free tokes and toots?
That is the fear, if somewhat overstated, of some Mexican officials, especially in northern border states that serve as a mecca for underage U.S. drinkers.
The Mexican legislature has voted quietly to decriminalize possession of small amounts of marijuana, cocaine, methamphetamine, heroin and other drugs. Past efforts have proved highly controversial, most recently three years ago, but President Felipe Calderón is expected to sign the bill into law this time.
There has been less protest this time around, in part because there hasn't been much publicity.
Some critics have suggested easing the punishment on drug possession sends the wrong message at a time when Calderón is waging a bloody war on major narcotics traffickers. But Calderón proposed the decriminalization legislation.
(snip)
The Mexican legislature has voted quietly to decriminalize possession of small amounts of marijuana, cocaine, methamphetamine, heroin and other drugs. Past efforts have proved highly controversial, most recently three years ago, but President Felipe Calderón is expected to sign the bill into law this time.
By Tracy Wilkinson
About the bill:
Users caught with small amounts of drugs clearly intended for "personal and immediate use" would not be criminally prosecuted. Instead, they would be told of available clinics and encouraged to enter a rehabilitation program. Among the most common substances, permitted amounts would be five grams of marijuana, 500 milligrams of cocaine, 40 milligrams of methamphetamine and 50 milligrams of heroin.
MEXICO CITY — Will Mexican cities become Latin Amsterdams, flooded by drug users seeking penalty-free tokes and toots?
That is the fear, if somewhat overstated, of some Mexican officials, especially in northern border states that serve as a mecca for underage U.S. drinkers.
The Mexican legislature has voted quietly to decriminalize possession of small amounts of marijuana, cocaine, methamphetamine, heroin and other drugs. Past efforts have proved highly controversial, most recently three years ago, but President Felipe Calderón is expected to sign the bill into law this time.
There has been less protest this time around, in part because there hasn't been much publicity.
Some critics have suggested easing the punishment on drug possession sends the wrong message at a time when Calderón is waging a bloody war on major narcotics traffickers. But Calderón proposed the decriminalization legislation.
(snip)