We use cookies for certain features and to improve your experience. See our Cookie Policy and Privacy Policy to learn more

Leafly

Shop legal, local weed.

Open
advertise on Leafly
ShopDeliveryDispensariesDealsStrainsBrandsProductsCBDDoctorsCannabis 101Social impact
  • Sign in
  • Create account
  • Strains
  • Shop
  • Shop
  • Delivery
  • Deals
  • Dispensaries
  • CBD Stores
  • Brands
  • Products
  • Learn
  • Cannabis 101
  • News
  • Leafly Learn
  • Science of cannabis
  • Doctors
  • Social impact
  • Lab partners
  • Download the Leafly App
  • Advertise on Leafly
    • Leafly.comUSA flag
    • Leafly.caCanadian flag
    • Leafly.deGerman flag
  • Help
  • News
  • Cannabis 101
  • Growing
  • Strains & products
  • CBD
  • Politics
  • Health
  • Lifestyle
  • Science & tech
  • Industry
  • Reports
  • Canada
  • Podcasts
  • Leafly Lists
Politics

Mexico to Hold National Debate on Cannabis Legalization

Lisa RoughPublished on December 3, 2015 · Last updated July 28, 2020

In November, the Mexican Supreme Court ruled that the personal recreational use of marijuana is constitutionally legal under the right to “free development of personality,” but the ruling was only applicable to the four defendants in the court case. Mexican citizens, as well as curious onlookers from around the globe, are wondering how the ruling will apply to the rest of the country, and it looks like Mexico’s Congress and administration will have to confront the issue sooner rather than later.

In January, the Mexican government will be holding a national debate on whether or not to overhaul Mexico’s laws on cannabis. President Enrique Peña Nieto has been fairly open about his opposition to legalization, but this ruling has put his opinion in the spotlight. Peña Nieto admitted that his opinion on the matter has not changed, but that his administration may be open to changing the laws, depending on the outcome of the national debate.

Beginning the third week of January, there will be a series of public debates with medical, legal and academic experts. A total of five debates will be held in different regions of the country to focus on health implications, regulations, costs, the relationship between decriminalization and violence, and whether cannabis consumption should be considered a human right.

Interior Minister Miguel Angel Osorio Chong relayed that the government is planning to launch a website that will publish various scientific and academic papers on the risks and benefits of marijuana in an effort to inform the public at large:

“To be effective, we must consider the different alternatives as well as the costs, benefits and viability of each of them and their impact on the population. Mexico will have to decide in the next months which policy it will need to face a phenomenon that affects different areas and aspects of the lives of millions of Mexicans.”

Supporters believe that legalization would hit Mexico’s drug cartels where it hurts – in their profits – as well as reducing the rampant violence that has plagued Mexico for years. There have been more than 90,000 deaths since 2006 related to Mexico’s war on drugs, and the number of deaths and disappearances have not slowed under Pena Nieto’s administration.

An end to prohibition could mean an end to the violence, but first we’ll have to see what comes out of January’s debates.

Read more about Mexico’s Supreme Court ruling that declared the personal recreational use of marijuana legal under the right of “free development of personality.”

Shop highly rated dispensaries near you

Showing you dispensaries near
See all dispensaries
  • Loading...
    Loading...Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...Loading...
    Loading...Loading...
  • Loading...
    Loading...Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...Loading...
    Loading...Loading...
  • Loading...
    Loading...Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...Loading...
    Loading...Loading...
  • Loading...
    Loading...Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...Loading...
    Loading...Loading...
  • See all dispensaries
See all dispensaries
legalizationmexicowar on drugs
Lisa Rough
Lisa Rough
Lisa is a former associate editor at Leafly, where she specialized in legislative cannabis policy and industry topics.
View Lisa Rough's articles

The latest in Politics

  • How US import tariffs are impacting cannabis prices and products image
    How US import tariffs are impacting cannabis prices and products
    Leafly Staff
  • Ohioans must activate to defend cannabis freedoms from lawmakers image
    Ohioans must activate to defend cannabis freedoms from lawmakers
    David Downs
  • Montanans must activate to protect legalization in 2025 image
    Montanans must activate to protect legalization in 2025
    David Downs
  • Analysis: Don’t hold your breath for legalization under Trump 2.0 image
    Analysis: Don’t hold your breath for legalization under Trump 2.0
    David Downs
Get good reads, local deals, and strain spotlights delivered right to your inbox.

By providing us with your email address, you agree to Leafly's Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.



Stay In Touch

Receive updates on new products, special offers, and industry news.

Something went wrong, please try again.

By providing us with your email address, you agree to Leafly’s Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

Leafly mobile app
Get high for less.
Download the Leafly app.
Download Leafly: Marijuana Reviews on the App StoreDownload Leafly Marijuana Reviews on Google Play

Business Solutions
  • List your store
  • List your CBD store
  • List your brand
  • List your practice
  • Business log in

About Leafly
  • About us
  • Careers
  • Newsroom
  • Investor relations
  • Contact us
  • FAQs
  • Accessibility

Dispensaries in
  • Los Angeles
  • Seattle
  • Portland
  • San Francisco
  • Toronto
  • Detroit

Privacy & Terms
  • Terms of use
  • Commercial terms of use
  • Privacy policy
  • Do not sell my personal information

* Statements made on this website have not been evaluated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Information provided by this website or this company is not a substitute for individual medical advice.


© 2025 Leafly, LLC
Leafly and the Leafly logo are registered trademarks of Leafly, LLC. All Rights Reserved.