MC promotes non-criminalization of cannabis users

“Prohibiting and persecuting doesn’t work,” said Royfid Torres, coordinator of the Citizen Movement ( MC ) in the capital’s Congress , when presenting an initiative to reform the local Health Law to avoid stigmatizing and reduce risks for cannabis users.

In the plenary session, the legislator from the Mexican National Action Party (MEC) mentioned that recent data show that in Mexico City, the main problematic forms of use are not related to cannabis, but rather to alcohol , cocaine , and inhalants, especially among young people. However, for five years, there has been no updated information or specific harm reduction programs.

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The amendments seek to explicitly integrate the risk and harm reduction approach into public policies related to the use of psychoactive substances, as well as define a person's informed consent, expressed in writing, for a diagnosis or treatment of addiction.

"We start from the recognition of a reality: there are people who use cannabis , and the State cannot continue to respond to this with punishment or stigma. What we propose is that the government implement public health policies that reduce the associated risks and put life, health, and support at the center," he stated.

The modifications will lead to avoiding infections, overdoses or deaths; provide them with clear information about the real risks; offer medical and psychological care and support if they need it; and support them if they one day decide to stop using, but without forcing or criminalizing them.