The legalization of some drugs, including marijuana, is not the solution per se to the scourge of organized crime. But it is, in any case, a step for improving conditions of health, promoting human rights and taking pressure off the prison system (where most inmates are detained for carrying any quantity of substances), stated Luis Astorga from the Institute for Social Research at the UNAM [National Autonomous University of Mexico].
In an interview with La Jornada, the expert on drug trafficking issues, maintained that Mexico is being "isolated" from the group of countries in Latin America that have undertaken efforts to make their drug policies and laws more flexible.
Beginning with the head of the federal executive, Enrique Peña Nieto, there is great conservatism on this issue among the political groups in Mexico, so it is up to civil organizations and the society as a whole to contribute elements so some lawmakers can retake the initiative and open a debate on the subject.
The university researcher noted that the presidents of Colombia, Manuel Santos; Guatemala, Otto Pérez Molina, and Uruguay, José Mujica, have expressed ... positions aimed at the decriminalization of marijuana. To which must be added that last November in Washington State and Colorado in the United States, the use of the substance was regulated for recreational purposes. This is in addition to the eighteen U.S. states that already permit cannabis for medical use.
The Organization of American States itself, in a recent report on drug policy, suggested that its members discuss the possibility of decriminalizing drug use, particularly marijuana, considering [decriminalization] to be the basis of any public health strategy.
The Organization of American States itself, in a recent report on drug policy, suggested that its members discuss the possibility of decriminalizing drug use, particularly marijuana, considering [decriminalization] to be the basis of any public health strategy.
Astorga recalled that the last administration made modifications to the General Health Law, which legalized carrying certain amounts (weight) of some substances. In the case of marijuana, the law permits carrying up to 5 grams.
He holds that those who oppose legalization of the drug are wrong in believing that this approach has as its goal the combat against drug trafficking. No one is proposing drug decriminalization as a solution to organized crime, but as a measure of health and human rights, of taking pressure off the prison system, and of improving the life situation of the population addicted or with problems that are not necessarily of addictions. The problems of organized crime would continue to be outstanding, as these depend on the strength of State institutions.
To solve that problem, Astorga insisted on the necessity of promoting an agreement among all the political forces. All the parties hold political office in areas with strong organized crime groups; therefore, they have responsibility but they are also susceptible to being corrupted by these criminal groups, as in some cases they already are. A State security policy can't be designed without analyzing the national political environments; the political parties that govern in different parts of the country are part of the State. Spanish original