Authorities in Mexico City could allow shops to sell up to five grams of cannabis per person under controversial plans supported by the capital’s mayor.
The proposals, put forward by a member of the capital’s ruling party, would go against the country’s federal drugs law which bans the selling of drugs.
Mexico’s President, Enrique Peña Nieto, maintains that legalising the sale of drugs will not diminish the violence that has killed tens of thousands over the last seven years.
Petition
Since 2009, federal law in Mexico has allowed the possession of up to five grams of cannabis for personal use, but it is still illegal for anyone to buy or sell any amount.
The bill does not specify what type of retailer would be allowed to sell the drug, or how the authorities would regulate or tax such sales.
Meanwhile, in the UK, a petition calling for a parliamentary debate about Britain’s drug laws reached 100,000 signatures, after high profile celebrities such as Russell Brand and Richard Branson added their names to the campaign.
The e-petition was started by Green MP Caroline Lucas.
Children
Conservative Home columnist, Peter Franklin, warned that legalised cannabis “will find its way to children”.
He pointed to a recent New York Times news report about the US state of Colorado, where the sale of cannabis is legal for both medical and recreational use.
New York Times reporter, Jack Healy, revealed that, “marijuana-infused snacks have become a booming business, with varieties ranging from chocolate-peppermint Mile High Bars to peanut butter candies infused with hash oil”.
Healy said, “the popularity of edible marijuana has alarmed parents’ groups, schools and some doctors, who say the highly concentrated snacks are increasingly landing in the hands of teenagers looking for a sweet, discreet high, or of children too young to know the difference between pot brownies and regular ones”.
Prime Minister
Prime Minister David Cameron says he has no plans to change Britain’s drug laws.
In response to a recent call from the Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg for a “different strategy” to tackle drugs, a Number 10 spokesman said: “The prime minister’s views are well known”.
“He thinks we have the right approach. The government has a good record in this area with drug usage at its lowest level since records began.”