Marijuana consumers accuse Mexican Senate of leaving regulation in limbo

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – About 100 marijuana consumers and activists marched this Saturday, May 1, in Mexico’s capital to accuse Mexican senators of leaving in limbo the law that regulates the legal consumption of marijuana in this country.

The Mexican Congress had until April 30 to regulate the recreational consumption of marijuana after the Supreme Court of Justice (SCJN) declared its prohibition unconstitutional in 2019.

The so-called “Peaceful Cannabis Walk” went from the Mexican Senate facilities, where activists and consumers have maintained a sit-in for more than a year, to reach the Zócalo plaza and set up in front of the Court.

“They had almost a month to discuss it and legislate, but they didn’t do it, they only gave us ‘bread and circuses, they are turning their back on us, they want to leave us in limbo and think that regulation doesn’t matter,” said a spokesperson for Plantón 420, which is located next to the Mexican Senate and led the mobilization.

On Friday, Mexican Senator Ricardo Monreal, who has said that it is necessary to “make a good law” that solves the problems raised by collectives, citizens, consumers, industrialists, and society in general, pointed out that the issue “will probably go to an extraordinary period” and is being worked on.

“We have to get it out, even if we return the minute to the Chamber of Deputies. I am convinced that it is important to approve this federal law that regulates the use of cannabis,” he said.

During the mobilization, some consumers smoked marijuana cigarettes. After their tour, they ratified that the future law criminalizes them since it foresees fines and jail sentences for possessing more than 28 grams.

The Supreme Court of Justice ordered the government in 2019 to regulate the recreational consumption of marijuana in Mexico, as it considers its prohibition unconstitutional. Still, the initiative is stalled in the Mexican Senate.

The Senate approved a first version of the text on November 19 last year, but on March 10, it was modified by the Chamber of Deputies and returned to the Senate.

The senators disagree with several modifications made by the deputies, so they asked the Supreme Court for a new extension of the deadline to approve the law, which expired on April 30.

For many consumers and activists, the extension was unnecessary. It was urgent to move forward so that the legal use of marijuana is finally legal in the country, which would make Mexico the third in the world to have this type of law, after Uruguay and Canada.

The bill allows carrying up to a maximum of 28 grams of cannabis. It provides for a system of licenses to grow up to eight plants at home, found smokers’ associations, and produce and sell marijuana and industrial hemp.

In front of the Court, activists and consumers prepared and distributed cannabis “atole”, a hot drink made of corn dough, water, and marijuana.

Source: efe