efields
Padawan Learner
The Story:
Mexico close to legalizing drug use
Web Posted: 04/29/2006 12:00 AM CDT
Dane Schiller
Express-News Mexico Bureau
MEXICO CITY - When it comes to drugs, this nation's reputation is more like violence-scarred Colombia than party-crazed Amsterdam.
But many here and in the United States were left scratching their heads and wondering if that could change Friday after the Mexican Congress passed legislation permitting personal-use quantities of marijuana, cocaine, heroin and other drugs.
There would be no criminal prosecution for those carrying or using small amounts of the drugs under the bill. It lacked only a signature by President Vicente Fox, who apparently supports the reforms.
Under the law, it would be legal to possess up to 5 grams of marijuana, 500 milligrams of cocaine and 25 milligrams of heroin, according to a statement released by Mexico's House and Senate.
A typical packet of sugar substitute holds 1 gram.
Observers say the bill appears designed to allow authorities to concentrate anti-drug efforts on bigger fish. It would permit local police - rather than just federales - to pursue drug cases.
It remains to be seen how such a law would impact crime, as users still would need to buy drugs, which would remain illegal.
And should drug use increase because of the lessened threat of arrest, it might trigger larger turf wars among drug cartels battling for new markets.
A spokesman for Texas Gov. Rick Perry expressed displeasure and called the vote a "tragic reversal of the war on drugs."
"Obviously, this will create a lot more problems with drug traffickers along the border," spokeswoman Kathy Walt said, adding that Texas had lost its "partner" in the drug war.
"We expect the situation will only get worse," she said.
Gary Johnson, the controversial Republican governor of New Mexico from 1994 to 2002, welcomed the move and suggested laws should be relaxed further.
"I think it is certainly a step in the right direction," Johnson said, taking a break from a marathon bike ride from New Mexico to California.
"If an individual is smoking marijuana in the confines of their own home, doing no harm to anyone other than arguably themselves, that shouldn't be a crime," he said.
The U.S. government, often critical of Mexico's efforts to fight drug cartels, declined to officially comment.
"We haven't studied the law yet, but any effort to decriminalize or legalize illegal drugs, even for personal use, would not be helpful," said a U.S. official, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to the delicate nature of international relations
Jos
Mexico close to legalizing drug use
Web Posted: 04/29/2006 12:00 AM CDT
Dane Schiller
Express-News Mexico Bureau
MEXICO CITY - When it comes to drugs, this nation's reputation is more like violence-scarred Colombia than party-crazed Amsterdam.
But many here and in the United States were left scratching their heads and wondering if that could change Friday after the Mexican Congress passed legislation permitting personal-use quantities of marijuana, cocaine, heroin and other drugs.
There would be no criminal prosecution for those carrying or using small amounts of the drugs under the bill. It lacked only a signature by President Vicente Fox, who apparently supports the reforms.
Under the law, it would be legal to possess up to 5 grams of marijuana, 500 milligrams of cocaine and 25 milligrams of heroin, according to a statement released by Mexico's House and Senate.
A typical packet of sugar substitute holds 1 gram.
Observers say the bill appears designed to allow authorities to concentrate anti-drug efforts on bigger fish. It would permit local police - rather than just federales - to pursue drug cases.
It remains to be seen how such a law would impact crime, as users still would need to buy drugs, which would remain illegal.
And should drug use increase because of the lessened threat of arrest, it might trigger larger turf wars among drug cartels battling for new markets.
A spokesman for Texas Gov. Rick Perry expressed displeasure and called the vote a "tragic reversal of the war on drugs."
"Obviously, this will create a lot more problems with drug traffickers along the border," spokeswoman Kathy Walt said, adding that Texas had lost its "partner" in the drug war.
"We expect the situation will only get worse," she said.
Gary Johnson, the controversial Republican governor of New Mexico from 1994 to 2002, welcomed the move and suggested laws should be relaxed further.
"I think it is certainly a step in the right direction," Johnson said, taking a break from a marathon bike ride from New Mexico to California.
"If an individual is smoking marijuana in the confines of their own home, doing no harm to anyone other than arguably themselves, that shouldn't be a crime," he said.
The U.S. government, often critical of Mexico's efforts to fight drug cartels, declined to officially comment.
"We haven't studied the law yet, but any effort to decriminalize or legalize illegal drugs, even for personal use, would not be helpful," said a U.S. official, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to the delicate nature of international relations
Jos