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."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." "The government believes that this law represents progress because it established the minimum quantities that a citizen can carry for personal use," Aguilar said.
Under current Mexican law, judges can drop charges against people caught with drugs if they can prove they are addicts and if an expert certifies they were caught with "the quantity necessary for personal use." The new bill makes the decriminalization automatic and drops the addict requirement — automatically letting "consumers" have drugs. Though police will still be able to detain people for public consumption or possession of drugs, it appears those caught could only be referred to a treatment program or have their names added to a registry.
On Friday, San Diego Mayor Jerry Sanders said he was appalled by the bill. "I certainly think we are going to see more drugs available in the United States," Sanders said. "We need to register every protest the American government can muster."
Under the new law, consumers may possess up to 25 milligrams of heroin, 5 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. The law also establishes allowable quantities for other drugs, including LSD, ecstasy and amphetamines. The bill maintains criminal penalties for drug sales.