Claudia Sheinbaum: What does Mexico's new president think about cannabis?

Claudia Sheinbaum has made history by being elected Mexico's first female president in 2024, establishing herself as an iconic figure. In a close election, Ms. Sheinbaum, of the «Sigamos Haciendo Historia» coalition, won with 58.65 % of the vote, beating her main opponent, Xóchitl Gálvez, and the third-placed candidate, Jorge Álvarez Máynez.

Born in Mexico City in 1962, Ms. Sheinbaum has successfully navigated between academia and politics. With a doctorate in energy engineering from the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), she began her career as a researcher and professor. Her entry into politics took shape when she was appointed Mexico City's Secretary of the Environment in 2000, during the administration of’Andrés Manuel López Obrador. Then, in 2018, she became the first woman elected to head the government of Mexico City, a mandate criticized for the collapse of the subway in 2021.

Claudia Sheinbaum: a clear stance on cannabis

Claudia Sheinbaum argued in favour of the decriminalizing the recreational use of cannabis, Ms. Sheinbaum's position was that criminalizing young people who use cannabis is an ineffective and harmful approach. «It's a right,» said Ms. Sheinbaum, stressing the need to change current policy in favor of education and public health.

The president-elect stressed that the negative consequences of criminalizing cannabis use particularly affect young people, who are the most vulnerable under current policies. In an interview with El Heraldo de México, Sheinbaum stressed that the decriminalization of cannabis was essential to avoid the unfair criminalization of young people and to reduce the violence associated with drug trafficking: «The most important thing is not to criminalize young people. If we don't, we'll continue to have problems with violence and drug trafficking».

Ms. Sheinbaum stressed the importance of a regulatory framework that benefits society as a whole. According to El Universal, We have to be careful that the policies we implement really benefit society as a whole«, she declared.

Its vision includes strong educational programs that inform citizens about responsible cannabis consumption and its implications for health. According to Sheinbaum, well-structured regulation can make a significant contribution to social justice and the reduction of violence.

Commitment to human rights and gender equality

In addition to her stance on cannabis, Ms. Sheinbaum has been an advocate for LGBT+ and women's rights, promoting policies aimed at equality and anti-discrimination, as highlighted in an article by’Infobae.

In 2022, she declared on social media, «As head of government, we created the comprehensive health unit for transgender people; by the end of 2022, 5,101 transgender and non-binary people had been treated free of charge. My dream is to continue fighting for people of sexual diversity, as I did in Mexico City.»

With regard to women's rights, Ms. Sheinbaum has promoted various measures to combat gender-based violence in Mexico. Her approach includes strengthening institutions dedicated to women's protection and implementing public policies that address the root causes of violence. Ms. Sheinbaum stressed that education and awareness-raising are essential tools for eradicating gender-based violence and promoting equality.

Furthermore, in 2021, Sheinbaum supported the Supreme Court's decision to decriminalize abortion, arguing that «it's done under different conditions» and that this measure is fundamental to protecting women's reproductive rights and guaranteeing their autonomy.

As promising as these statements are for those who share her position, what politicians say on the campaign trail must always be taken with caution. Only time will tell whether Sheinbaum will be consistent in her statements on cannabis and gender-based violence, two major problems in the country.