False Hopes: No Short-Term Legalisation of Medical Cannabis in Mexico

Not that much time has passed since the President of Mexico, Enrique Peña Nieto, speaking at a United Nations General Assembly Special Session on the subject of drugs in the world, announced his intention to foster the legalisation of medicinal marijuana in his country. Just a few months later, he has just taken a decisive step backwards, eliminating any possibility of his plans becoming a reality, at least on a short-term basis.

Peña Nieto's purpose was that of allowing the use of cannabis for medical and scientific purposes, as well as raising the maximum possession allowed from 5 to 28 grams, all by means of reforming the Federal Criminal Code and the General Health Law. Such a reform had been regarded as an important step forwards in the adoption of a new cannabis regulation model that would take over from the current prohibitionist policies.

Peña Nieto himself, commenting on his intentions, said that "we Mexicans are more aware than anyone else of the shortcomings of prohibitionist policies and the devastating consequences of our war on drugs over the last 40 years. Our country has suffered, as few have, the ill effects of organized crime linked to drug trafficking."

Nevertheless, and although the news was well enough received, the Mexican Upper Chamber, most especially the PRI senators, has swept the whole matter under the carpet. Following various misunderstandings and requests, those groups opposed to the proposal have brought about a rescheduling of the discussion sessions. These sessions were initially slated to take place throughout the present month, and are necessary to proceed to legalising medical cannabis.

The lack of agreements between the different parliamentary groups has been the determining reason for the postponement of the discussions. The new date has been set at the end of summer, at which time the ordinary period of the Chamber will be resumed.

The rumour has spread that the delay in the conversations could indicate that the legislators are no longer interested in offering the country's citizens a programme allowing them to make legal use of cannabis or do not regard this as a priority issue for the time being. Lisa Sánchez, the Latin American Manager for the Transform Drug Policy Foundation, has commented on the matter, saying that "it looks as if he never really wanted it. It's either that, or the fact that the PRI is more interested in the next presidential elections than in Peña Nieto's opinions and responsibilities." 

This is not the first time the process has been hindered. The senators from the PRI and the PVEM had already shown a willingness to merely discuss the legalisation of cannabis for medical and scientific purposes, whereas the issue of increasing the possession threshold had to wait.

Although the government's intentions have not been made fully clear, there can be no doubt that the legalisation of medical cannabis in Mexico is not an issue of present concern. It is not until the end of the summer season that the country's patients will be able to know for sure if legislators are willing to recognise their rights or have, on the contrary, decided to put the brakes on liberalisation.