Mexico Just Legalized Medical Marijuana: But There’s a Little Problem

Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto on June 19 officially published a bill making medical cannabis legal and available in our neighbor to the south. But there’s a big catch: Unfortunately, only products with 1 percent THC or lower will be allowed.

The historic policy change began last December, when the bill received great support in the Mexican Senate, passing on a 98-7 vote. On April 28, Mexico’s lower house of parliament overwhelmingly approved the bill with an incredible 374-7 vote.

At that point, it was up to the President to officially sign it and turn it into law, which has now happened.

The bill was publicly endorsed by Mexico’s Secretary of Health, Dr. José Narro Robles, who says, "I welcome the adoption of the therapeutic use of cannabis in Mexico."

The new law will authorize Mexico’s Health Ministry to create new medicinal cannabis regulations, including the production of related pharmaceuticals based on cannabis. But that irrational 1 percent limit on THC would certainly limit their effectiveness.

The Health Ministry will be creating more rules in the coming weeks, as Mexico prepares to implement the new law.

Some Senators and civil rights group said the new law doesn’t go far enough. According to many advocates, it represents only a tiny step forward. Senator Miguel Barbosa said the legislation was “well below the expectations of society.”

Senator Armando Rios Peter agreed that the new law is a “tiny” step forward, away from a failed drug policy.