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Mexico Legalises Street Drugs
04 May 2006
by Anai Rhoads
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AnaiRhoads.org -
Despite criticism, Mexico passed a law through the Senate that now
allows its residents to carry and use minor amounts of (il)legal drugs.
Last Friday, Vincente Fox signed in the new law that would make judges
and law enforcement powerless against charging an individual with
possession drugs such as amphetamines, methamphetamines, cocaine,
heroin, and marijuana - provided the individual claims that he or she is using the drugs recreationally.
"The government believes this law represents progress, because it
established the minimum quantities that a citizen can carry for
personal use," Spokesman Ruben Aguilar said in response to the
controversial move.
The current amount one may have possession of is:
- Heroin: 25 milligrams or 0.0009 ounces
- Cocaine: 500 milligrams or 0.018 ounces
- Marijuana: up to 5 grams or 0.18 ounces
- Opium: 5 grams or 0.18 ounces
Many are concerned the new-found freedom will cause American teens to
cross the border into Mexico to purchase and use drugs. Thousands of
young adults take advantage of Mexico's legal drinking age already. The new
drug law may bring in far more, the Bush administration fears.
The bill still carries some responsibility. Criminal charges for drug
sales have not changed and anyone who carries any amount of
drugs near a school will still be charged.
Only a handful of States allow patients access to medical marijuana
in the U.S. and even with permission many are still harassed.
"We want to find out what the Department of Justice spends annually
to prosecute medical marijuana patients so we can tell the American
people exactly how much of their taxes is being wasted and diverted
away from critical law enforcement activities, including Homeland
Security activities," Congressman Maurice Hinchey (D- N.Y.) said.
Columbia and the Netherlands are among several that have proposed or
implemented departures from the America's strait-laced prohibition
laws. For example, Sen. Nolin, chairperson for the Canadian Senate
Committee on Illegal Drugs, also recommended that marijuana be
legalised in Canada.
Note: Due to intense pressure by the United States, Fox later dropped his plan to legalise any amount of drugs.
©2006 Anai Rhoads. Reproduction must be authorised in writing
by author only. Altering, redistributing, or selling this material is
strictly prohibited.
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