Mexico to Begin Drafting Recreational Marijuana Legalization Law

According to Mexican Senator Ricardo Monreal Avila, the country’s legislators are prepared to begin debating marijuana legalization this week. Draft legislation is expected to be submitted in the next few weeks.

Mexican lawmakers have 13 separate legalization proposals to review, Mexico Daily News reported. The review sessions will be open, allowing citizens to provide their input. The Mexico Supreme Court has already said that marijuana prohibition is unconstitutional.

Former director of the U.S.  Office of National Drug Control Policy, Gil Kerlikowske, has been providing assistance to Mexico when it comes to ensuring the proper framework is in place. He says that careful regulation and a marijuana tax structure must be in place. Kerlikowske suggests that Mexico use its marijuana tax revenue to fund prevention and rehab programs. The funds could also be put toward cracking down on the black market.

Kerlikowske said, “If you want a controlled environment for marijuana, you have to do everything possible to eliminate the black market…”