The Mexico cannabis legalization bill has moved another step closer to a full floor vote in the Senate.
Last year the chamber approved the legislation, but it only passed in revised form in the Chamber of Deputies and was sent back to the Senate for final consideration.
On Tuesday, the second Senate committee advanced the amended legislation. Now it needs to pass through one more panel before it makes its way back to the floor. This is great progress for the Mexico cannabis legalization bill.
The Second Legislative Studies Committee approved the bill on Tuesday. Just one day after the Justice Committee approved it. Now it heads to the Health Committee. That could be set as soon as Wednesday. Which could potentially set up the bill for a full-body vote by Thursday.
Lawmakers On A Deadline
It seems to be a common theme in each committee that several members have concerns about changes to the bill that were made in the Chamber of Deputies. Sen. Jesusa Rodríguez Ramírez for example said the bill has some inconsistencies, but it needs to be advanced, nonetheless.
This continued overlook of concerns is due to pressure the legislature is facing to get the bill into law. The Supreme Court ruled that the prohibition on the use and cultivation of cannabis is unconstitutional in 2018. They ordered lawmakers to change the policy.
Due to multiple requests for extensions from the original deadline set in 2019, it is now April of 2021 and lawmakers are still working on it. The current deadline is set for the end of April.
Senate Majority Leader Ricardo Monreal Avila said on Tuesday that “we believe that there are some inconsistencies, but we also have in front of us the mandate of the court.” If lawmakers fail to pass the legislation, the Supreme Court can declare the unconstitutionality of the law. This would result in chaos and disorder.
Mexico Cannabis Legalization Bill
The proposal will allow adults 18 and older to purchase and possess up to 28 grams of cannabis. Adults 18 and older will be able to cultivate no more than six plants for personal use.
Advocates were hoping for more. They have called for changes to further promote social equity and eliminate strict penalties for law violations.
The bill will give priority licenses to marginalized communities. But advocates have cause for concern that without strict and specific criteria for “marginalized communities” it might not come to fruition. Advocates also wanted to see a specific percentage of licenses set aside for said communities. But that did not happen.
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