Mexico decriminalizes possession of marijuana, cocaine and other drugs

In a controversial decision, Mexico recently legalized the possession of small amounts of illegal drugs. The new law allows people to carry up to five grams of marijuana, about three to five joints, and half a gram of cocaine. Mexicans will also be allowed to carry small amounts of LSD, Heroin and Methamphetamine.

The law also offers medical treatment for those who are caught with small amounts of drugs. And it requires obligatory treatment for people who are caught with drug possession for the third time.   Trafficking large amounts of drugs and producing them is still illegal in Mexico.  And local authorities say that by decriminalizing the possession of small amounts of drugs, police will be able to focus on fighting Mexico´s powerful drug cartels.

FSRN spoke to Ethan Nadelmann the executive director and founder of the drug policy alliance, a group that seeks alternatives to the war on drugs.  For more information on this issue and alternative drug policies see:  www.drugpolicy.org.