A bill just got passed to legalise recreational cannabis use in Mexico

A bill just got passed to legalise recreational cannabis use in Mexico.

The lower house of Congress in Mexico approved the recreational, medicinal and scientific use of weed - with 316 votes in favour to 127 against - but it must now go through the Senate for final approval.

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Should it go through, people at the age of 18 or over would legally be allowed to carry 28 grams, as opposed to no more than 5 grams under current law. If for personal use, people aged 18 or over would also be allowed to grow up to eight plants at home. You'd also need a permit to do so.

President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, leader of the Morena party, reckons the new bill would help tackle drug cartels in Mexico, according to Reuters.

Simey Olvera, a lawmaker in the Morena party, said: “Today we are making history. With this, the false belief that cannabis forms part of Mexico’s serious health problems is left behind.”

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Canada became the second country to legalise marijuana in 2018, following Uruguay doing so in 2013.

Earlier this year, it was reported that Jamaica has a shortage of weed, with reasons including more people possibly smoking it since it was approved for medicinal use and being caught with small amounts of it was decriminalised.

Amsterdam, a city famous for its coffee shops, caused controversy in January when it was revealed foreign tourists might be banned from visiting the much-loved weed cafes under a proposed new law.

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