For decades, marijuana has been embroiled in controversy, causing many to form deep-seated opinions about this psychoactive plant. Recently, Mexico made great strides on the cannabis front, legalizing recreational marijuana in the hopes of ending the country’s long-lived war on drugs. This ruling was in keeping with prior developments, with Mexico lifting its ban on medicinal cannabis three years before. With President Andrés Manuel López Obrador’s support for legalization, Mexico is well on its way to dispelling stigmas surrounding marijuana use.
Though Mexico legalizes cannabis, what else will this bill bring? In essence, this law allows adults to smoke marijuana and grow small quantities at home with a permit. It also supports small farmers and commercial growers who wish to cultivate and sell the crop. Not surprisingly, the passing of this law has caused considerable polarization. Those who are in favor of the bill state that the legalization of marijuana bodes well for Mexico’s public health image. According to one lawmaker, many falsely believe that cannabis is responsible for Mexico’s ongoing health concerns.
In reality, marijuana is far from the culprit, which is why many are eager to see how this bill will paint a rosier and more accurate picture of marijuana. On the other end of the spectrum are those who condemn marijuana use, claiming that the drug is “unwelcome in the country.” One senator maintains that legalizing cannabis is nothing more than “a political fad.” Damián Zepeda Vidales, a prominent senator, subscribes to the notion that enacting this measure will impose a certain lifestyle on society.
Then there are those who fear that the legalization of marijuana will trigger more violence. Security experts don’t share these concerns, asserting that any brutal fallout will be minimal. Meanwhile, staunch proponents of marijuana legalization believe that the bill isn’t aggressive enough. More specifically, they feel that lawmakers took a bureaucratic approach by making this law “one for the rich.” Younger activists make up the majority of this camp, and these protestors are outraged by the bill’s business-oriented actions.
In fact, many are questioning how this bill will impact Mexico’s poor farmers. While this act prioritizes granting licenses to small farmers, they can only receive one. These ill-founded limitations are creating tremendous upset and confusion. The bill also appears to overlook organized crime. Falko Ernst, a Mexico analyst, is worried about groups that are vulnerable to trafficking operations. Without the necessary restrictions, Ernst is scared that high-conflict settings will be overrun by cartels.
Above all else, the introduction of this bill would allow Mexico to get out of its financial rut. With Mexico’s economy in ruins following the pandemic, the country is yearning for an economic recovery. If done feasibly, marijuana could prove a gold mine, leading to an economic surplus. Juan Sánchez Mejorada, an executive at a medicinal marijuana company, considers this bill an excellent solution for a country in dire need. While this bill is a step in the right direction, only time will tell how influential this movement will be.
