Top > World > 2006 > May > 2006-05-01

Drug Leniency Law Passed in Mexico

Under legislation passed by the Mexican Congress, owning marijuana, cocaine and even heroin will no longer be a crime in Mexico if the drugs are carried in small amounts for personal use. According to a bill passed by legislators late last Thursday, which was earlier approved by the lower house of Congress, police will not penalize people for possessing up to 5 grams of marijuana, 5 grams of opium, 25 milligrams of heroin or 500 milligrams of cocaine.

However,people caught with larger quantities of drugs will be treated as narcotics dealers and face increased jail terms under the plan. Presidential spokesman Ruben Aguilar says, "This law provides more judicial tools for authorities to fight crime." Reports state that fifty-three senators voted for the bill, with twenty-six votes against it.

According to an official in the Mexican Senate`s health commission, under current law it is up to local judges and police to decide on a case-by-case basis whether people should be prosecuted for possessing small quantities of drugs. Sen. Jorge Zermeno of the ruling National Action Party, says, "The object of this law is to not put consumers in jail, but rather those who sell and poison."