Mexico, next to decriminalize drug possession?

[empeake]

Mexico will almost surely join the list of countries that have decriminalized the possession and use of small quantities of drugs for personal use. The bill, which will quite likely be signed into law by President Calderón, has already been approved by the Senate and the House of Representatives.

MEXICO CITY, May 1 (Reuters) - Mexico's Congress has passed a bill decriminalizing the possession of small amounts of drugs, from marijuana to methamphetamine, as President Felipe Calderon tries to focus on catching traffickers.

The bill, proposed by Calderon after an attempt by the previous government at a similar bill came under fire in the United States, would make it legal to carry up to 5 grams (0.18 ounces) of marijuana, 500 milligrams (0.018 ounces) of cocaine and tiny quantities of heroin and methamphetamines.

The bill does not legalize the use, sale or distribution of drugs, and the use of drugs in public places is prohibited. The main focus is on treatment and rehabilitation of drug users. First and second time offenders will be invited to attend treatment centers. Third time offenders must enter a rehab center.

The issue of legalizing drugs has been considered, but the consensus is that it would not be very helpful in reducing the alarming drug-related problems in Mexico. The main weakness of the proposal is that most of the drug cartels reap their profits in the United States, not in Mexico.

 

[Alex Libman]

I hope so. All "victimless crime" laws are bad, but this is a reasonable first step in the right direction.

The drug prohibition is costing the human economy hundreds of billions, possibly even over a trillion dollars a year in enforcement, higher crime rates, higher medical costs, and otherwise productive people being thrown into prison. Few countries have suffered as much economic loss over this stupidity than Mexico has.

 

[Madalch]

They really are desparate to get American tourists back, aren't they?

 

[foxholeatheist]

Hell yeah. You want a great economic recovery plan?

Legalize it! New jobs in agriculture, advertising, product packaging plus a whole industry of tie-in products. Makes perfect sense to me.