Mexico Moves Toward Legalization of Marijuana

Mexico’s marijuana prohibition law has been deemed unconstitutional by the country’s Supreme Court, a decision that paves the way for its legalization.

According to a report from Vox, this is the fifth time the court has issued such a ruling, which under the country’s legal system means that the standard set by the rulings will apply to Mexico’s entire court system.

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The Associated Press explained it this way: “The rulings technically do not legalize recreational use, however. They establish that courts must allow it, but it is still up to each individual to press his or her case in the judicial system.”

The rulings apply to possession, use, and growing, but do not apply to things such as commercialization or sales.

According to the Associated Press, the court “found that adults have a fundamental right to personal development which lets them decide their recreational activities without interference from the state.”

Notably, however, the ruling issued Wednesday states that “the right is not absolute, and the consumption of certain substances may be regulated, but the effects provoked by marijuana do not justify an absolute prohibition of its consumption.”

Vox reported that Mexico's lawmakers could react to the ruling by adjusting the law to regulate marijuana under the new legal framework set by the Supreme Court.

If that happens, Mexico could be the third in the world to legalize pot for recreational purposes, behind Uruguay and Canada.

Earlier this year, the country's tourism minister revealed that he thinks marijuana should be legalized in cities popular with travelers, such as Cancun and Los Cabos.

Back in the United States, nine states have legalized the drug to date for recreational uses, but it is still illegal under federal laws.