Mexico City mayor’s marijuana legalization bill ignites national debate

[Judi Lynn]

Source: El País (Spain)

Mexico City mayor’s marijuana legalization bill ignites national debate

Leftist party behind proposal remains divided over the issue

La marihuana enciende el debate en México

Raquel Seco Mexico City 8 AGO 2013 - 14:26 CET

The mayor of Mexico City has ignited a national debate by calling for a debate on the legalization of marijuana in the capital. But Miguel Ángel Mancera, the mayor and member of the Democratic Revolutionary Party (PRD), may face an uphill battle after some members of his leftist grouping came out against the proposal.

Public institutions have also warned that Mancera’s proposal risks placing the entire nation in the midst of a policy confrontation with Washington.

Vidal Llerenas and Fernando Belaunzarán, two PRD deputies in the Federal District legislature, are preparing draft bills that call for the legalization of cannabis. These bills, to be presented next month, are expected to be similar to laws passed in the US state of Colorado and last week by the Chamber of Deputies in Uruguay.

While the debate begins to fire up nationally, some PRD members have given Mancera lukewarm support. Mexico City’s health secretary, Armando Ahued, said he favored opening discussions on the issue but added he wasn’t too enthusiastic about legalizing marijuana because, in his point of view, there is no medical benefit to be gained from doing so.

Read more: http://elpais.com/elpais/2013/08/08/inenglish/1375964534_108650.html

[shanti]

1. Hmmmm

The cartels won't like this one little bit!

[WHEN CRABS ROAR]

2. That's why it makes sense to legalize.

[ConcernedCanuk]

3. DEA is gonna be all over that one!

.
.
.

"Public institutions have also warned that Mancera’s proposal risks placing the entire nation in the midst of a policy confrontation with Washington. "

no shit!

OH, wait a minute - "a policy confrontation with Washington" - gee -

I forgot that Washington gets to tell other countries how to behave.

Washington has done such a good job for it's own citizens,

I missed that part . . .

CC

[RainDog]

4. kick n/t

[Sunlei]

5. Zona Rosa will become the tourist capital of the world.

[FlyingTooLow]

6. It's about the money...

It's all about the money and where it goes.

I traveled extensively in Colombia, South America in the 1970's, and very
early 80's. My reason for being there: to buy the best marijuana I could
find for shipment to the United States.

The people I dealt with were not the killers depicted by our government.
They were Moms and Pops with families. And some of the nicest, most
honorable people I have ever met.

This is not a war 'against' drugs. This is a war for 'control' of the
drugs.
And the involved governments' only concerns are, 'Who gets the money.'

Once these products are legalized, we can all live in peace. The quality of
the product will determine its market.

Just like lettuce and tomatoes.

I spent 5 years in Federal Prison for my escapades involving marijuana.
I wrote about them in: Shoulda Robbed a Bank

[duhneece]

7. Every day it seems we are approaching the 'tipping point'

Another DU'er Flybynight was on federal probation, lost some of his land...you can DU message him, if you want.
HY, many of us work with/support Drug Policy Alliance and LEAP Law Enforcement Against Prohibition & have attended the International Drug Policy Reform Conferences. I think scholarships applications have closed, but check out the videos from the conference 2 years ago:
http://www.reformconference.org/conference-archive

If you look closely, you'll find this 62 year old activist!