Mexico’s Peña Nieto wants expert debate on marijuana legalization
MEXICO CITY – Mexico’s president indicated on Monday that his administration could drop its opposition to legalizing marijuana based on results of a debate of experts on the matter.
Five days after the Supreme Court authorized four people to grow their own pot for consumption, President Enrique Peña Nieto said he would convene medical experts, sociologists, academics and civil society to debate the issue.
“I have always said that I, personally, am not in favor of an eventual legalization of marijuana,” Peña Nieto said during a security forum, warning that cannabis could lead to the consumption harder drugs. “However, I can’t be the sole owner of the truth.”
He added: “I am open, and I will remain open as president, to collecting documented, scientifically proven positions that could eventually lead to a different position.”
El criterio expresado este día, abrirá un debate sobre la mejor regulación para inhibir el consumo de drogas, un tema de salud pública.
— Enrique Peña Nieto (@EPN) November 4, 2015
If that were to be the case, Peña Nieto said, the government and the Congress would have to come up with “convenient and prudent legislation” to regulate marijuana.
The top court’s landmark Nov. 4 ruling, though limited to just four people, raised hope against supporters of marijuana legalization that Mexico would drop its ban.
Four more similar rulings by the Supreme Court would set a legal precedent to change the law.
The four members of the Mexican Society for Responsible and Tolerant Personal Use (the Spanish acronym is SMART), who won the court ruling, said their goal is to force Congress to legislate.
The group believes that legalizing marijuana in Mexico would dry up a major source of revenue for drug cartels, leading to a reduction in the gang turf wars that have killed tens of thousands of people.
You may be interested

Costa Rica, IMF reach agreement in principle for $1.75 billion loan
Alejandro Zúñiga - January 22, 2021Costa Rica has reached an agreement in principle with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for a $1.75 billion loan. Before…

10 tax tips for U.S. citizens living in Costa Rica in 2021
Bright!Tax - January 22, 2021Allyson Lindsey, Managing CPA and Partner at Bright!Tax, a leading provider of US expat tax services, provides us with some…

Nicaraguans in Costa Rica ask UNHCR for support
AFP - January 22, 2021Nicaraguans who fled the government of Daniel Ortega to request asylum in Costa Rica are requesting support from the UN…