Mexico: deputies to vote on cannabis legalization next week

The Mexican Chamber of Deputies will vote next week on the proposed legalization of cannabis, an eagerly awaited decision that comes months after the Senate approved the reform.

That said, MPs still seem to be waiting for a revised, definitive bill to vote on, as mentioned by Martha Tagle Martínez, a member of the House Health Committee.

Adicionalmente, la JUCOPO de la @Mx_Diputados ha programado tener la discusión sobre la minuta del senado en materia de #Cannabis para el próximo 9 de marzo, pero aún no hay proyecto de dictamen. Cuando éste circule se deberá convocar a las comisiones unidas de salud y justicia.

- Martha Tagle (@MarthaTagle) March 2, 2021

While it therefore remains to be seen what changes will be made to the Senate version, Martha Tagle Martínez said that the current bill as approved in the Senate does not meet the requirements of the Supreme Court, which ruled the’prohibition of personal possession and cultivation of cannabis unconstitutional in a 2018 decision. Legislators have since been tasked with ending its prohibition, but have repeatedly pushed back deadlines for adopting this policy change.

Mexico now has until the end of April to legalize cannabis nationwide, and it looks like next week's action will allow Congress to meet its obligation.

Members of the Senate Committees on Justice, Health and Legislative Studies had approved an earlier version of legal cannabis legislation last March, but the coronavirus pandemic delayed progress on the project.

Mexico's plans to legalize cannabis

The bill approved by the Mexican Senate establishes a regulated cannabis market, allowing adults aged 18 and over to purchase and possess up to 28 grams of cannabis and grow up to six plants for personal use.

The bill attempts to mitigate the influence of large cannabis companies. It states, for example, that for the first five years following legalization, at least 40% of commercial cannabis licenses must be granted to people from indigenous, low-income or historically marginalized communities.

The Mexican Cannabis Institute would be responsible for regulating the market and issuing licenses.

Public consumption of cannabis would be permitted, except in places where smoking is prohibited or at mass gatherings where people under 18 could be exposed.

Households with more than one adult would be limited to growing a maximum of eight plants. The legislation also says that people «should not» consume cannabis in homes where there are minors. Possession of more than 28 grams but less than 200 grams would be considered an offence punishable by a fine but no prison sentence.