Mexico Decriminalizes Drugs

UNTflyer · August 21, 2009

MEXICO CITY — Mexico decriminalized small amounts of marijuana, cocaine and heroin on Friday — a move that prosecutors say makes sense even in the midst of the government's grueling battle against drug traffickers.

Prosecutors said the new law sets clear limits that keep Mexico's corruption-prone police from extorting casual users and offers addicts free treatment to keep growing domestic drug use in check.

The maximum amount of marijuana for "personal use" under the new law is 5 grams — the equivalent of about four joints. The limit is a half gram for cocaine, the equivalent of about 4 "lines." For other drugs, the limits are 50 milligrams of heroin, 40 milligrams for methamphetamine and 0.015 milligrams for LSD.

Edited August 21, 2009 by UNTflyer

Censored by Laurie · August 21, 2009

100% on board with 1/3 of it...50/50 on the other 2/3.

UNT90 · August 21, 2009

A big "we give up" signal to the cartels. Way to cave, Mexican government.

TheTastyGreek · August 21, 2009

Not that I'm saying this particular decision is entirely bad, but... Just for the sake of comedy, I'd be interested in how else the Mexican legal system might evolve further down the path of "call your own fouls".

Maybe they'll institute a "just the tip" exemption to sexual assault?

What if I go to Juarez and only murder a few dozen prostitutes? No charges, right?

meangreendork · August 22, 2009

Not that I'm saying this particular decision is entirely bad, but... Just for the sake of comedy, I'd be interested in how else the Mexican legal system might evolve further down the path of "call your own fouls".
Maybe they'll institute a "just the tip" exemption to sexual assault?
What if I go to Juarez and only murder a few dozen prostitutes? No charges, right?

Only a few. Once you get to three dozen, then you might spend a day in jail. Not prison, just jail.

eulesseagle · August 22, 2009

Do you really believe that legalizing small amounts of "dope" for the Mexicans who use it is really going to stop the continous drug wars from all the cartels? Ok, the government concedes that the population can have four joints (5 mg) but the real problem is still the "tonage" that is being transported, the subsequent corruption, murders, assundry associated crimes and all else that is associated with drugs.

UNT90 · August 22, 2009

Do you really believe that legalizing small amounts of "dope" for the Mexicans who use it is really going to stop the continous drug wars from all the cartels? Ok, the government concedes that the population can have four joints (5 mg) but the real problem is still the "tonage" that is being transported, the subsequent corruption, murders, assundry associated crimes and all else that is associated with drugs.

And this signals to them that ther government will eventually cave to their power. The government has just legitimized their product, granted in small amounts, for now. The next step will be to push for the complete legalization of marihuana, and the step after to legalize all drugs.

Reminds me of Europe's appeasement of Nazi germany.

It amazes me that people can not see the progression that will inevitably occur.

Green Guy Bass · August 22, 2009

And this signals to them that ther government will eventually cave to their power. The government has just legitimized their product, granted in small amounts, for now. The next step will be to push for the complete legalization of marihuana, and the step after to legalize all drugs.
Reminds me of Europe's appeasement of Nazi germany.
It amazes me that people can not see the progression that will inevitably occur.

Why is the conservative right always so quick to throw out the Nazi / Hitler card? Can we come up with another historical reference that might be more accurate? If anything Prohibition in this country might be a better analogy.

Edited August 22, 2009 by Green Guy Bass

UNT90 · August 22, 2009

Why is the conservative right always so quick to throw out the Nazi / Hitler card? Can we come up with another historical reference that might be more accurate? If anything Prohibition in this country might be a better analogy.

Not really. Alcohol had been long accepted throughout civilization before prohibition came along. And lets look at the problems alcohol has caused in society. Huge amount of deaths every year on our roads. Major cause in the degredation of the family unit in this country, family violence contributor, heart disease, liver disease, and so on, and so on. Yes, alcohol is a drug, unfortunately a drug that has gotten so normalized that it is now impossible to ban it. So, the solution to illegal drugs, which will cause more of the same problem, is to normalize them also? A really flawed solution, wouldn't you say?

The Hitler comparison is the best to make, especially in Mexico. It is the government appeasing an arm of the cartel (yes, the consumers are a very important arm of the cartel) hoping that the problem will just go away.

And, yes, since I have been normalized by society, we should be discussing this over a beer.

hickoryhouse · August 22, 2009

Why is the conservative right always so quick to throw out the Nazi / Hitler card? Can we come up with another historical reference that might be more accurate? If anything Prohibition in this country might be a better analogy.

Just for the sake of it I suppose, but the right doesn't own exclusive rights to comparing folks to nazi's. Perhaps a quick google search of "Bush AND Nazi" will render something.....

Honestly all of the comparisons are based on loosely associated similarities that have little to no baring on the actual situation, but I seem to remember the left playing it fast and loose with that term too... Just saying

eulessismore · August 23, 2009

And this signals to them that ther government will eventually cave to their power. The government has just legitimized their product, granted in small amounts, for now. The next step will be to push for the complete legalization of marihuana, and the step after to legalize all drugs.
Reminds me of Europe's appeasement of Nazi germany.
It amazes me that people can not see the progression that will inevitably occur.

I'm sorry, but I don't get it. So, I guess I'm among those who do not see...

I would like to nominate "Hitler vs what I think is right" as the permanent undercard in any argument.

eulesseagle · August 23, 2009

NT90 actually has a good point about incramentalism of any perceived drug be in booze, dope, governmental programs etc. Once door is open then that will allow the govt to increase those incramental steps into bigger programs. However, the Mexican drug cartels are diversified as is our mafia.

eulessismore · August 23, 2009

NT90 actually has a good point about incramentalism of any perceived drug be in booze, dope, governmental programs etc. Once door is open then that will allow the govt to increase those incramental steps into bigger programs. However, the Mexican drug cartels are diversified as is our mafia.

Interesting; since the program to control dope is a "government program", I guess this analogy could logically be seen as the "War on Drugs" actually increasing in size as the supply of "dope" increases. No way that could happen.

eulesseagle · August 23, 2009

eulessismore, let us take for example the incramental law of dope in Texas. In the mid to late 60s if you got caught with one joint it was two years to life at Huntsville. What is it now? just a slap on the wrist, if that?? Has that changed the amount of drugs heading into the state? don't really think so.

UNTflyer · August 23, 2009

Criminalizing the act of consumption is ridiculous. It didn't work for alcohol, and it clearly doesn't work for drugs. And most of the time the people who look down own those who smoke pot are people who will bring three cases of beer to a tailgate.

eulessismore · August 23, 2009

eulessismore, let us take for example the incramental law of dope in Texas. In the mid to late 60s if you got caught with one joint it was two years to life at Huntsville. What is it now? just a slap on the wrist, if that?? Has that changed the amount of drugs heading into the state? don't really think so.

You've segued nicely into my next argument: it's arguable that the highest percentage of marijuana use was occurring at least partly when those laws you mentioned were in effect. People just weren't being sent to prison for being caught for the first time as users, and it was a burden on the criminal justice system. Heck, even the Baptist General Convention of Texas was in favor of the changes that were made.

I have heard, and don't doubt, that the same thing is going on now with meth users; the criminal justice system doesn't really want them in jail if it can be avoided, because they don't want to be responsible for their dental care.

I believe (but only base this on what I observed in my contempories when I was still a student in the early 80's) that it was workplace drug testing (which I agree is legitimate) that reduced or eliminated illegal drug use by many. That and (as William Bennett noted) nagging by wives and girlfriends.

Harry · August 24, 2009

Criminalizing the act of consumption is ridiculous. It didn't work for alcohol, and it clearly doesn't work for drugs. And most of the time the people who look down own those who smoke pot are people who will bring three cases of beer to a tailgate.

Flyer I agree 100%. Come on, we are spending tax dollars jailing people for smoking pot? It's senseless and it doesn't work and it needs to change. We should tax it and perhaps save ourselves billions of dollars trying to police it. The other drugs are different and more complex in terms of how to deal with them, but jailing people for smoking pot is ridiculous and needs to change. Now if someone is selling pot to kids they ought to be thrown in jail. Make it that you have to be 21 to buy it or something like that, tax the hell out of it and throw the dealers that try to sell to kids in jail.

Green P1 · August 24, 2009

In the mid to late 60s if you got caught with one joint it was two years to life at Huntsville. What is it now? just a slap on the wrist, if that??

In Denton, circa 2003, its $300 and 15 hours community service.

eulesseagle · August 24, 2009

In Denton, circa 2003, its $300 and 15 hours community service.

isn't that a slap on the wrist? sure beats what happened in the 60s.

UNT90 · August 24, 2009

Flyer I agree 100%. Come on, we are spending tax dollars jailing people for smoking pot? It's senseless and it doesn't work and it needs to change. We should tax it and perhaps save ourselves billions of dollars trying to police it. The other drugs are different and more complex in terms of how to deal with them, but jailing people for smoking pot is ridiculous and needs to change. Now if someone is selling pot to kids they ought to be thrown in jail. Make it that you have to be 21 to buy it or something like that, tax the hell out of it and throw the dealers that try to sell to kids in jail.

OK, just realize that people will now be smoking marihuana outside your favorite restaurant, in the parking lot of North Texas games, and everywhere else you take your kids where smoking is allowed. How many are prepared to have a discusion with their 5 year old about drug use? How many are prepared for 2nd hand smoke issues and your small children once you legalize marihuana?

Like stated before, huge amount of tax dollars are not being spent to pursue the average marihuana user. If a cop runs into someone with a little pot, he has the option to either arrest the pothead or write him ticket. Many times, the arrest leads to the discovery of other, stronger drugs.

Legalizing methamphetamine is just plain stupid (not that anyone on here advocated that). Do that, and watch crime go up about 300%.

Edited August 24, 2009 by UNT90

Censored by Laurie · August 24, 2009

OK, just realize that people will now be smoking marihuana outside your favorite restaurant, in the parking lot of North Texas games, and everywhere else you take your kids where smoking is allowed. How many are prepared to have a discusion with their 5 year old about drug use? How many are prepared for 2nd hand smoke issues and your small children once you legalize marihuana?
Like stated before, huge amount of tax dollars are not being spent to pursue the average marihuana user. If a cop runs into someone with a little pot, he has the option to either arrest the pothead or write him ticket. Many times, the arrest leads to the discovery of other, stronger drugs.
Legalizing methamphetamine is just plain stupid (not that anyone on here advocated that). Do that, and watch crime go up about 300%.

Ummm...

hickoryhouse · August 24, 2009

In Denton, circa 2003, its $300 and 15 hours community service.

Just to add color and a bit more historic perspective... Circa 2001 it was 1 night in jail, 1 year of probation, 40 hours community service and $500 in Denton.

KRAM1 · August 24, 2009

Why is the conservative right always so quick to throw out the Nazi / Hitler card? Can we come up with another historical reference that might be more accurate? If anything Prohibition in this country might be a better analogy.

Seems to me the left was pretty quick to use the Nazi/Hitler card in describing the Bush Administration from time to time. I really don't think "conservatives" have a "copyright" on this slur. However, I do agree with your point...can we not get past this poor analogy? It is not very "appealing" to either side.

UNTflyer · August 24, 2009

OK, just realize that people will now be ~~smoking marihuana outside~~ consuming alcohol inside your favorite restaurant, in the parking lot of North Texas games, and everywhere else you take your kids where ~~smoking~~ drinking is allowed. How many are prepared to have a discusion with their 5 year old about ~~drug use~~ alcoholism? How many are prepared for 2nd hand smoke issues and your small children once you legalize alcohol ~~marihuana~~?

Really, what's the difference?