Mexico City, Mexico — The use of recreational marijuana was approved by commissions of the Chamber of Deputies Monday. The Justice and Health commissions of the Chamber of Deputies approved the new law and the reform package that seeks to regulate the recreational use of marijuana in Mexico.
The move was endorsed with 17 votes in favor of, seven against and six abstentions in the Health Commission, and by 17 votes in favor of, four against and four abstentions in the Justice Commission.
The document is expected to go to the plenary session of San Lázaro during their Tuesday session.
The ruling contemplates creating a Federal Law for the Regulation of Cannabis and reforms to various points of the General Health Law and the Federal Criminal Code.
The proposed goal is to decriminalize the use of marijuana for recreational purposes among people of legal age, for whom it is planned to allow them to carry up to 28 grams or have up to four plants, for personal use.
The new law is also contemplating the creation of a Mexican Cannabis Institute, which would be responsible for issuing permits so that commercial establishments can sell marijuana.
This issue was already approved by the Senate in November 2020, so if the full House endorses it, it will be sent to the government to promulgate the decree and the changes begin to take effect. On the contrary, if the document is modified, it will be returned to the senators.
The regulation on the recreational use of marijuana reached Congress by order of the Supreme Court of Justice of the Nation (SCJN), which determined that the laws still in force that prohibit its recreational use are contrary to the Constitution of the country and to human rights.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the difficulty for legislators to meet regularly last year, the SCJN gave an extension until April 30 for the Legislative Branch to make a decision.
