Mexico: The New Netherlands?

The Mexican congress has passed a law to legalize small amounts of marijuana, cocaine, heroin, LSD, and other drugs, for personal use. The sale of such drugs, however, remains illegal. Apparently, the intent of decriminalizing the possession of small amounts is to focus police and justice resources on bigger fish, so to speak. In so doing this, Mexico is moving toward an approach long used by the Netherlands. The Dutch, however, have only legalized the personal consumption of small amounts of marijuana and hashish. Mexico is entering uncharted waters with their more comprehensive decriminalization.

U.S. authorities have expressed concern that such a policy shift will make it more difficult to police drug activity in the United States. Consequently, we might expect drug users in the United States to respond to the new incentives created by the change in Mexican law. For example, I would venture a guess that Mexico might become a more popular spring break destination for American college students.