MEXICO CITY (AP) — The Mexico government on Friday issues the first permits allowing the cultivation and possession of marijuana for personal use.
The federal medical protection agency said the permits apply only to the four plaintiffs who won a favorable ruling from the Supreme Court last month. The court said growing and consuming marijuana is covered under the right of “free development of personality.”
The permits issued Friday won’t allow smoking marijuana in the presence of children or anyone who hasn’t given consent. The permits also don’t allow the sale or distribution of the drug.
The court’s ruling didn’t mean a general legalization for Mexico. But if the court ruled the same way on five similar petitions, it would then establish the precedent to change the law and allow general recreational use.
The government medical protection agency, known as COFEPRIS, said it has received 155 applications to get such permits. But other applicants would have to go through the appeals process, something supporters say would probably take at least a year.
President Enrique Pena Nieto has repeatedly said he opposes legalization of marijuana as do a majority of Mexicans surveyed in recent polls.
Source: Mexico issues first permits for marijuana under court ruling – Yahoo News
