Thursday, April 14, 2016

LatAm in Focus: Alejandro Hope on Drug Policy and Mexico's Marijuana Laws

By Carin Zissis

"Marijuana legalization used to be a fringe concern," says El Daily Post’s security editor. "It’s now part of the mainstream conversation."

</p> <div class="wrapper" style="width: 100%;"> <table align="right" border="0" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="5" style="width: 30%;"> <tbody> <tr> <td> <p style="text-align: center;"><em><b style="font-size: 20px;"><img alt="" src="/sites/default/files/HopeAlejandro-171x171.jpg" style="width: 100%; height: 100%;" /></b></em></p> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </div> <p>“This region has been at the forefront of the reform process.” That’s what Alejandro Hope had to say about shifts toward more progressive drug policies in the Americas in recent years. Hope, a drug policy analyst and security editor at the Mexico City-based news site El Daily Post, spoke with AS/COA Online’s Carin Zissis about what the region’s policy changes mean on a global scale as the UN prepares to host a special summit, known as <a href="http://www.unodc.org/ungass2016/" target="_blank">UNGASS 2016</a>, on the worldwide drug problem from April 19 to 21.</p> <table align="left" border="0" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="5" style="width: 40%;"> <tbody> <tr> <td> <p style="text-align: center;"><em><b style="font-size: 20px;">"</b></em><em><b style="font-size: 20px;">The hawks are no longer in this hemisphere</b></em><em><b style="font-size: 20px;">."</b></em></p> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <p>The General Assembly last held a special session in 2009 and another one wasn’t slated until 2019. But, in 2012, the presidents of Colombia, Guatemala, and Mexico, tired of drug war violence, <a href="http://idpc.net/policy-advocacy/the-un-general-assembly-special-session-on-drugs-ungass-2016" target="_blank">called to hold</a> the summit sooner. But just because some countries are looking for a new path doesn’t mean UNGASS 2016 will produce major results: even if Latin American countries want more open policies, other parts of the world—such as Asia and Russia—take a more conservative stance.</p> <p>Still, changes taking place on a national level have an impact on global policy. Hope notes that marijuana legalization by particular U.S. states weakens the ability to enforce drug control treaties, leaving “a gaping hole in the system.”</p> <table align="right" border="0" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="5" style="width: 40%;"> <tbody> <tr> <td> <p style="text-align: center;"><em><b style="font-size: 20px;">"</b></em><em><b style="font-size: 20px;">The changes have been more significant in the Americas than anywhere else in the world</b></em><em><b style="font-size: 20px;">."</b></em></p> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <p>Shifting U.S. marijuana policy also has a direct effect on Mexico, where the illicit marijuana export market is showing signs it’s contracting as eradication and seizures decline. There’s a political effect as well: it’s harder for Mexico to maintain marijuana prohibition when the United States doesn’t, explains Hope. A Mexican Supreme Court <a href="http://www.as-coa.org/articles/explainer-seven-things-know-about-mexico-legalizing-marijuana">decision in November</a>, while limited in scope, opened the door to more progressive policies. “Marijuana legalization used to be a fringe concern,” he says. “It’s now part of the mainstream conversation.”</p> <p>And Hope predicts court decisions will keep chipping away at prohibition as cases arise, saying: “I would argue that a large portion of the legislation that underpins marijuana prohibition in Mexico will be declared unconstitutional.”</p> <p>What does this mean for Mexico’s next presidential election and security policy overall? Listen to find out.</p> <hr /> <ul> <li><strong>Enjoyed this podcast? <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/latin-america-in-focus/id1089353175" target="_blank">Subscribe to Latin America in Focus on iTunes</a>! </strong></li> <li><strong><a href="http://www.as-coa.org/articles/weekly-chart-drug-production-and-eradication-latin-america">Infographic: Drug Production and Eradication in Latin America</a></strong><strong></strong></li> </ul> <hr /> <p> </p>

Share

LatAm in Focus: Alejandro Hope on Drug Policy and Mexico's Marijuana Laws

Related

Explore