Mexican Senate approves legalization of cannabis

After long months of waiting, the Mexican Senate on Thursday approved the bill to legalize cannabis in Mexico.

Before it becomes law, the text must also be passed by the country's other congressional body, the Chamber of Deputies.

The future law, distributed in project form earlier this month, will establish a regulated cannabis market in Mexico, allowing adults aged 18 and over to purchase and possess up to 28 grams of cannabis and grow up to 6 plants for personal use.

A few last-minute technical changes have been incorporated into the bill, such as the increase to 6 plants from the original limit of 4 self-grown plants per person and to ensure that people who grow cannabis for personal use are not subject to the obligation to declare their plants to regulators.

An additional change requires the government to erase the criminal records of people with previous cannabis convictions within 6 months.

Lawmakers also removed the prohibition on owning more than one type of cannabis license, allowing vertical integration of cannabis businesses. An earlier version of the bill would have allowed only people from vulnerable communities to hold more than one type of license.

Another amendment stipulates that non-profit consumer associations, Cannabis Social Clubs that collectively grow cannabis, They must be located at least 500 metres from schools, sports and leisure centers, and any place where third parties who have not given their consent could be exposed to smoke.

The Senate voted in favor of the bill by 82 votes to 18, with 7 abstentions.