The lower house in Mexico has signed a bill that would sanction the recreational use of cannabis.
The recreational cannabis bill will now go to the Senate for the final vote. President Andrés Manuel López Obrador’s party is positive that it will pass.
The passing of this bill will make Mexico one of the world’s largest regulated market for cannabis. Mexico has strived with a bloody war against powerful drug cartels. The fury due to which kills thousands yearly.
Lawmakers voted in approval of the bill by 316 votes to 129. However, in November, the bill was already approved. But another vote is required following some changes by the lower house.
The legislation would provide the user with a permit of up to 28g. Also, grow as many as eight plants at home for personal use. At present, it is unlawful to carry more than 5 grams.
The law would also allow for other licences for plantation transformation research. Moreover, with the export and import of it, Reuters news agency reports.
Mr López Obrador has claimed that the bill could help take down the country’s powerful drug cartels.
One lawmaker from his Morena told AFP that the passing of this bill would help in attaining peace.
However, critics have disputed that the bill could make marijuana more readily available to children. Others have questioned why Mexicans would be able to buy as much alcohol as they like. Yet liable for prosecution if they grow more than eight cannabis plant.
If the bill gets passed, Mexico will become the third country in the world to legalise recreational cannabis. Before Mexico, Uruguay and Canada have legalised the use of recreational cannabis throughout the nation.
