theantimedia | Later this month, the supreme court of Mexico will review the country’s current prohibition of marijuana, as well as the possibility of legalizing the plant
for medical and recreational use. Medical marijuana is currently legal
in Mexico, but the black market drug trade in the country continues to
cause widespread violence, drug cartel, and gang activity, just as it
does in America.
Marijuana legalization has traditionally
been a very popular concept in Mexico, where people understand the
real-life consequences of the drug war and prohibition. However, the
United Nations has forced many countries around the world, including
Mexico, to comply with the drug prohibition policy the United States
government has championed.
Now, with many U.S. states choosing to
legalize the plant, Mexico is seeing a window of opportunity to change
the laws at home, keep non-violent offenders out of jail, and minimize
the violence created by the black market.
On October 28th, supreme
court judges in Mexico will vote to decide whether the current
prohibition on marijuana is unconstitutional. If they do choose to
legalize the plant — which many believe they will — the country will
follow a number of countries that are beginning to change their drug
laws.
In 2001, Portugal became the first country in the world to end the drug war within its borders, and in the short time since, the country has seen a radical improvement in society.
Drugs now have fewer negative effects in Portugal than they did prior
to decriminalization. There are now fewer drug-related deaths, fewer
children getting ahold of drugs, and fewer people doing drugs in
general.
