Yahoo News Mexico judge approves recreational cocaine use for two users
Two people in Mexico have been granted the right to recreational cocaine use, a court has ruled.
In the first ruling of its kind, the court said it would allow the claimants to “possess, transport and use cocaine” but not sell it, according to Mexico United Against Crime (MUCD).
The decision has been called an “historic step” by the MUCD, which seeks to end the country’s war on drugs.
A higher court must now review the decision before it can be enforced.
The court ordered the national health regulator, Coferpris, to authorise the claimants’ use in personal, recreational doses, the organisation said.
The regulator has since moved to block the court order, arguing the authorisation would be outside its legal remit.
The case must now be reviewed by a panel of judges.
Read more
Drug-related deaths in UK hit record levels
"This case represents another step in the fight to construct alternative drug policies that allow (Mexico) to redirect its security efforts and better address public health," MUACD said in a statement.
"We have spent years working for a more secure, just and peaceful Mexico.
“This case is about insisting on the need to stop criminalizing... drug users and designing better public policies that explore all the available options," said the group's director, Lisa Sanchez.
Mexico has been slowly moving away from its strict prohibitionist drug policies in recent years.
