Mexico's Congress on Friday approved a bill thaw would make possession of small quantities of marijuana, ecstasy, cocaine and even heroin for personal use legal. The only thing that is needed for this bill to be in effect is the signature of President Vicente Fox, whose office indicated he would sign the bill. Mexico's President stated that this bill will allow police to focus on large-scale trafficking operations rather than minor drug busts.
If Fox signs the measure and it becomes law, it could strain the two countries' cooperation in anti-drug efforts -- and increase the vast numbers of vacationing students who visit Mexico.
U.S. officials scrambled to come up with a response to the bill. One U.S. diplomat who requested anonymity because he was not authorized to speak publicly said "we're still studying the legislation, but any effort to decriminalize illegal drugs would not be helpful."
The bill, passed 53-26 with one abstention by Mexico's Senate in the early morning hours. It also stiffens penalties for trafficking and possession of drugs by government employees or near schools.
The bill says criminal charges will no longer be brought for possession of up to 25 milligrams of heroin, 5 grams of marijuana (about one-fifth of an ounce, or about four joints), or 0.5 grams of cocaine -- the equivalent of about 4 "lines," or half the standard street-sale quantity (though half-size packages are becoming more common).
"No charges will be brought against ... addicts or consumers who are found in possession of any narcotic for personal use," according to the Senate bill, which also lays out allowable quantities for an array of other drugs, including LSD, ecstasy and amphetamines.
Some of the amounts are eye-popping: Mexicans would be allowed to possess more than two pounds of peyote, the button-size hallucinogenic cactus used in some native Indian religious ceremonies.
"This is going to increase addictions in Mexico," said Ulisis Bon, a drug treatment expert in Tijuana, where heroin use is rampant. "A lot of Americans already come here to buy medications they can't get up there ... Just imagine, with heroin."
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Just think the Mexican borders are going to be very bad to live in because it will attract the US drug users simply because it will be legal to buy drugs in Mexico.
What about all of the vacationing spots like Cancun and Acapulco. High school senior trips even go to these Mexico tourist spots.
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