What do you think this will lead to? Mexico to legalize Drugs

[RickM]

Any predictions on where this will lead?

Will this allow illegal drugs to flow more easily into the US?

Will Mexico be THE ultimate destination for spring break? (It's pretty popular already)

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060502/ap_on_re_la_am_ca/mexico_drugs

"Mexico's Fox to Sign Bill Legalizing Drugs"

"MEXICO CITY - Mexican President Vicente Fox will sign into law a measure that decriminalizes the possession of small amounts of marijuana, cocaine, heroin and other drugs for personal use, his spokesman said Tuesday.

Spokesman Ruben Aguilar defended the law, which was approved Friday by Mexico's Senate, despite criticism in the United States that it could increase casual drug use.

"The president is going to sign this law," said Aguilar, who called the legislation "a better tool ... that allows better action and better coordination in the fight against drug dealing."

...

Under the new law, consumers may possess up to 25 milligrams of heroin, five grams of marijuana (about one-fifth of an ounce, or about four joints), or 0.5 grams of cocaine — the equivalent of about four "lines," or half the standard street-sale quantity. "

[Groesbeck Hurricane]

Simple, mexico wants more tourists, US citizens are stupid enough to do the drugs. More US currency in circulation in mexico.

[gaijindabe]

Basically legalizes the transshipment of drugs through Mexico. A million mules heading to an open border. Another reason to build a fence, a big one.

[Bob's Flat-Six]

Mexico sucks, and this is just another example of it.

[911boost]

Of course I haven't read the whole article or anything, but how are you going to buy it? Will it be taxed and sold in stores? If you can only have 5 joints, how is it going to be dealt?

Oh yeah, a real big fence.

[scottmandue]

Originally posted by RickM
Any predictions on where this will lead?

Will this allow illegal drugs to flow more easily into the US?

Will Mexico be THE ultimate destination for spring break? (It's pretty popular already)

I don't think it could get any easier to move drugs through Mexico, it's pretty obvious the government /police are on the take and this is just a step to streamline the process.

[HardDrive]

Note to self: Smoke fat blunt next time you are in Mexico.

Self to Note: Why dumbass? You have a joint in your Ipod case right now.

Note to self: Don't talk back to me.

Self to Note: Ok...........dumbass......

[dd74]

The more I see and hear Vicente Fox, the more I think he's an out-and-out criminal.

What sickens me more about him is how our president seems to pander to the man. Forget the good relations, especially as the U.S. is actively invaded, or some would say, by non-citizens. If we are actively on a Nation-building crusade, we should look on Mexico as a country sorely in need of closer interaction other than a couple glad handshakes between the two presidents and a failing war on drugs.

[EdT82SC]

To my understanding it will be legal to possess small quantities of some drugs, but it is still not legal to sell, traffic, or possess large quantities. The news report I heard said that it is already up to the discretion of the arresting officer to take someone in for possession. The report didn't say it, but to me that means you don't go to jail if you bribe the cop. So maybe this is an attempt to cut down on police forcing bribes from small users.

So how much impact do you think this will really have? Americans are already going down to Mexico for cheap drugs and alchohol and a lower drinking age to party.

If it were up to me, I'd make all drugs legal to take the criminal aspect out of it, and tax it to pay for treatment.

[dd74]

Originally posted by EdT82SC

If it were up to me, I'd make all drugs legal to take the criminal aspect out of it, and tax it to pay for treatment.

I think the U.S. could benefit more from your idea than Mexico.

[artplumber]

I guess Fox has reversed himself.

[legion]

Too bad...it might have forced some debate on a workable drug policy in this country.

[Christien]

I don't know if it's the same thing they did here in Canada but decriminalization doesn't mean legalize. In Canada they decriminalized small quantities of pot a couple years ago, which meant that it was no longer a violation of the Criminal Code to possess a small amount (basically for personal use). You could still get charged, but it would under a bylaw, or something like that - more like getting a speeding ticket (which falls under the Highway Traffic Act, not the criminal code) and thus you don't get a criminal record.

Total difference made: zero. I think the point was that nobody cares about small quantities for personal consumption, it's the traffickers that are the problem. I think it was more about cutting down on beaureaucracy and paperwork than anything else. Trust me, the world isn't going to hell in a handbasket (well, at least not because of changes in drug laws).

[legion]

They will still put you in jail for a year or two here the first time you're caught with single joint.

[Christien]

And fine you millions of dollars for showing a boobie on TV for a fraction of a second. Some laws just seem really counter-intuitive.

[Flatbutt1]

OK lemme getthis straight. I can possess up to 4 doobies w/out being a felon. But you can't sell grass to me 'cause dealing is still illegal. So...how do I get my doobies?

[island911]

I think that it will lead to (Mexican) Govt sanctioned drug-lords.

after all, this action has the effect of hugely opening up the supply side, whilst weeding out the mid-level dealers.