Argentina and Mexico decriminalize small scale marijuana use
Ruling in a case involving several young men caught with marijuana cigarettes in their pockets, the judges struck down a law providing for up to two years in prison for possession of small amounts of narcotics.
A weight limit for what constitutes small-scale has not yet been set.
Last week, Mexico decriminalized the personal use of small amounts of cannabis, heroine, cocaine, methamphetamine and LSD. Anyone caught with drug amounts under the personal-use limit will be encouraged to seek treatment, and for those caught a third time treatment is mandatory—although the law does not specify penalties for noncompliance. Officials say the legal changes could help the government focus more on big-time traffickers.
