HEADLINE in the
LA Times today:
Mexican President Vicente Fox will sign a bill that would legalize the use of nearly every drug and narcotic sold by the same Mexican cartels he's vowed to fight during his five years in office...
This was on the front page of the LA Times today, above the fold. Since I usually get most of my news from Kos and TPM, I completely missed this story until now. My grilfriend, a mental health professional and a big advocate of "harm reduction" in drug policy, told me about it tonight.
I was floored that such a big story had gotten no press here.
The law would be among the most permissive in the world, putting Mexico in the company of the Netherlands. Critics, including U.S. drug policy officials, already are worrying that it will spur a domestic addiction problem and make Mexico a narco-tourism destination.
Even the Netherlands, famous for coffeehouses that sell small quantities of potent marijuana and hashish, forbids the possession and sale of narcotics. Colombia allows personal use of marijuana, cocaine and heroin, but not LSD or PCP.
I don't use drugs. But I have learned (mostly through aforementioned girlfriend) that programs that offer treatment for drug abuse instead of jail have been proven effective in reducing drug use, crime, and economic costs to society through decreasing prison populations and drug-related crimes such as robbery.
This thread could lead to an interesting discussion of the merits of this Mexican bill, but I personally am more interested in the political ramifications for this country. How might this bill's passage effect politics here at home? And will this bill pass with our administration possibly bringing pressure to bear on Vicente Fox?
From the same article:
The Bush administration is refraining from public criticism of Mexico. But in private meetings Monday with Mexican officials in Washington, U.S. officials tried to discourage passage of the law, U.S. Embassy officials here said.
A main question for you wise Kossacks out there, is why would Mexico take such a bold step at this time?
Might it have something to do with the immigration debate going on in this country?
MIght this bill, which the right wing will hate beyond belief, be simply a negotiating chip in discussions between Fox and Bush (eg., "veto the drug bill and we'll give you X or Y on immigration")?
Could it be a signal from Mexico to the US to say, "You complain about Mexicans coming to the US? Look at how we can make Americans want to come here."
Or is it simply coincidental timing?
UPDATE:
Wow. This thing is moving fast. Reuters is reporting as of 27 minutes ago:
In a surprise reversal, Mexican President Vicente Fox will not sign a widely criticized reform to decriminalize the possession of small quantities of marijuana, cocaine and heroin, his office said on Wednesday.
...
Fox's decision was unexpected, given that the legislation was initially designed by his office and introduced by his party. This week, his spokesman praised the law and insisted the president would quickly sign it, despite rumblings from a shocked Washington.
Was this surprise and unexpected reversal a result of pressure from the North?