Mexico: Public Debate Announced on Marijuana Decriminalization

After last week’s Supreme Court decision to legalize marijuana for recreational use for one advocacy group in Mexico, public pressure has prompted the country’s Interior Minister to announce a three-stage national public debate over decriminalization. The first will be held with specialists, scientists and academics; the second with the civil society on health impacts; and the third in legislative chambers. Many proponents of legalization argue that the criminalization of marijuana violates individual rights and has also fostered rampant corruption and violence in Mexico’s militarized anti-drug war. Clayton Conn reports from Mexico City for teleSUR.