Mexico legalises drug possession

[Ginginho]

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/21/world/americas/21mexico.html

MEXICO CITY (AP) — Mexico enacted a controversial law on Thursday decriminalizing possession of small amounts of marijuana, cocaine, heroin and other drugs while encouraging government-financed treatment for drug dependency free of charge.

The law sets out maximum “personal use” amounts for drugs, also including LSD and methamphetamine. People detained with those quantities will no longer face criminal prosecution; the law goes into effect on Friday.

Anyone caught with drug amounts under the personal-use limit will be encouraged to seek treatment, and for those caught a third time treatment is mandatory — although no penalties for noncompliance are specified.

Mexican authorities said the change only recognized the longstanding practice here of not prosecuting people caught with small amounts of drugs.

The maximum amount of marijuana considered to be for “personal use” under the new law is 5 grams — the equivalent of about four marijuana cigarettes. Other limits are half a gram of cocaine, 50 milligrams of heroin, 40 milligrams for methamphetamine and 0.015 milligrams of LSD.

President Felipe Calderón waited months before approving the law.

A good idea. Be interesting to see how this impacts them and if any other countries follow suit.
I have never done drugs (apart from the odd bit of marijuana when I was about 15), but don't feel strongly either way, it's down to personal choice.

I should imagine tourism in Mexico will increase

[reeves4england]

Haven't they legalised all drugs in Portugal? I seem to remember it was expected to attract a whole load of 'undesirable' tourists, but nothing changed.

[Don Rogers Shop]

Always said we should also legalize drugs.

[Talk Talk]

Haven't they legalised all drugs in Portugal? I seem to remember it was expected to attract a whole load of 'undesirable' tourists, but nothing changed.

Yup and it has been a completely (really) positive move.

[Talk Talk]

Always said we should also legalize drugs.

Well keep fucking saying it then. To your mates, MI5, your MP, the council leader, your cat, Fred Elliot and the bloke who collects your wheelie bin.

SHOUT Dean, you tosser. Make yourself heard.

[Don Rogers Shop]

I told my local bobby once.

[Spy]

Is that true then about drugs being legal in Portugal? 

Someone said that to me and I didn't believe them.

Surely that must be just small amounts for posession, or you would have people selling kilos of cocaine on the border.

[BANGKOK RED]

Well I s'pose the next step would be to legalise and control the entire trade. Not only could it then be more effectively monitored and taxed, but it would also take the trade away from the underworld.

[ghanimah]

Is that true then about drugs being legal in Portugal? 

Someone said that to me and I didn't believe them.

Surely that must be just small amounts for posession, or you would have people selling kilos of cocaine on the border.

Drugs are not legal in Portugal, but personal use has been decriminalised. It's still illegal to traffic the stuff

http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/thereporters/markeaston/2009/07/how_portugal_treats_drug_addic.html

[bigbobjoylove]

Well I s'pose the next step would be to legalise and control the entire trade. Not only could it then be more effectively monitored and taxed, but it would also take the trade away from the underworld.

Aye, same with prostitution perhaps?

[Spy]

If something is decriminalised is that not effectively the same as legalising it? In practical terms whats the difference?

[Mexicano Rojo]

the police are so corrupt in mexico this is pie in the sky, whatever the situation if you are caught in possession you will still have to pay the cop mucho pesos.

[donkey]

the police are so corrupt in mexico this is pie in the sky, whatever the situation if you are caught in possession you will still have to pay the cop mucho pesos.

What would you know?  Mexico Red would've known, but a Tongan?  I'm not so sure.