Get Ready for a New, Cannabis Bucket List!
Going over the border could entail a whole new bucket-list of things to cross off, especially for those that consume cannabis. On the evening of 4-10-2010, backed by the country’s president Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, Mexico’s Senate took a major step in approving a bill to legalize recreational cannabis. This large announcement does not go without major implications for the Cannabis Industry Worldwide as it is projected that the market for Cannabis in Mexico will indeed become one of the world’s largest Cannabis Producers. Yes, they have competition, from three major neighbors, Canada, Uraguay, and of course, us however since the Mexican Supreme Court ruled that the ban on recreational marijuana was unconstitutional, many companies, as well as individuals, have been keeping a watchful eye. Medicinally, it was approved for use three years ago however the terms for recreational use opens up a whole different kind of market for consumers; a more accessible one.
Cannabis planted by activists growing outside of the Mexican Senate building. (Kate Linthicum/ Los Angeles Times)
On our side of the border in San Diego, officials are trying their best to work out how to incorporate legal cannabis lounges and events into their ordinances, and with good reason. Known as a “party destination” teenagers would journey across the border in Tijuana to consume alcohol since the legal age to drink is eighteen in Mexico when in the U.S.’s is twenty-one. Could we see the same type of mecca happening for cannabis Events, lounges, and even medicine as we have witnessed in international commerce? Will patients for medicinal use as well as consumers for recreational cannabis seek Mexico for cheap thrills or more economically prices meds? Only time will tell, as regulations and limitations have not yet been laid into stone.
New Opportunities for Many
What does this new bill mean? Well for one, the bill opens up regulation by creating the governmental entity, the Medical Institute for the Regulation and Control of Cannabis. This Government-regulated institute will be responsible for issuing different types of licenses as well as monitoring the progress of the institutions involved. This new measure would allow adults to legally consume as well as grow and possess a small amount of cannabis personally for consumption. In 2015 when Fernando Belaunzarán Mendez, a Congressman from Mexico, wrote a letter to a judge, where after being first declined, Cannabidiol (CBD) was allowed to be sold across state lines. This was in connection to a case where a federal judge granted the Elizalde family permission to import the helpful cannabinoid, with efforts to help their daughter Grace’s epileptic treatments. For many, getting medicine for the family is risky, however, Raul Elizalde fought until he not only became a major advocate in the legalization of hemp and cannabis in Mexico but now heads HempMeds®Mexico as General Manager.
Raul Elizalde, General Manager of HempMeds Mexico with family.
Justice and Compassion
Along with helping families such as the Elizalde family, the passing of this new bill also grants permitted licenses for those interested in growing as well as selling cannabis commercially. This is all great news. Not because the name Marijuana comes from Mexico and not because “La Cucaracha,” a famous folk song was a cannabis song but because for centuries, Cannabis has been a remedy for many. From smoking the flowers to making alcohol compresses to help alleviate inflammation and pain, this plant literally has its roots deep in Mexican culture. Removing these barriers and stigmas, such as those depicted below in racist propaganda, are some of the positive steps towards removing the negativity associated with a plant that heals so many medicinally and has changed so many lives positively.
Promise
Will we see the top cannabis strains at your local herb shop (Botanica), pharmacy, or smoke shop? This economic enthusiasm will probably not happen immediately as new regulations are being drafted yet hopefully we can look for many positive things from Mexico as far as strains, medicinal treatments as well as possible ventures for those in the cannabis business in months to come.
Cannabis planted by activists, still growing healthy on the grounds of the Mexican Senate. (Kate Linthicum/ Los Angeles Times)
Below are a few reasons against cannabis depicted in racist anti-Mexican Cannabis propaganda. Two of which came right here from the United States, ‘which I call ‘Cannaganda,’ are some reasons why there have been negative stigmas about cannabis and hemp in the past. Even today in 2021 these negative stigmas are allowed to survive, in Latino and other communities of color. I believe that I should address this in another article. Enjoy!
