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Decriminalization ignores the more important, underlying issues, Catholic leaders say.
In spite of hopes that the legalization of marijuana will take the drug out of the hands of cartels, Mexico’s bishops think it’s a bad idea for society.
A bill passed by Mexico’s Senate November 19 “does not address the damage to health caused by increased use of cannabis, nor does it address the effects on the families of young people who use drugs, nor does it help to inhibit or reduce the exposure to drugs,” said the Bishops’ Conference of Mexico on Sunday, in a statement. “We see that these state policies are sending a signal that they ignore the weak and neglect those who should be best protected.”
The bishops believe that the legalization of an illicit drug means “turning away and ignoring the real needs of society, especially in the current context of the Covid-19 pandemic, the economic crisis and the security crisis.”
The bill, which will now be taken up by the Chamber of Deputies, would legalize the possession of up to an ounce of pot by adults as long as they do not consume it in front of children, the Associated Press reported. The legislation would allow a person to grow up to six marijuana plants and open the way for establishing a system of licensing for larger-scale production and sale, the wire service said.
In their statement, the Bishops’ Conference expressed concern that “there was a lack of pluralistic public debate and that experts on this subject in particular were not heard,” Fides, the information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies, reported.
Continued below.
Mexico's bishops warn of consequences of legalizing pot
In spite of hopes that the legalization of marijuana will take the drug out of the hands of cartels, Mexico’s bishops think it’s a bad idea for society.
A bill passed by Mexico’s Senate November 19 “does not address the damage to health caused by increased use of cannabis, nor does it address the effects on the families of young people who use drugs, nor does it help to inhibit or reduce the exposure to drugs,” said the Bishops’ Conference of Mexico on Sunday, in a statement. “We see that these state policies are sending a signal that they ignore the weak and neglect those who should be best protected.”
The bishops believe that the legalization of an illicit drug means “turning away and ignoring the real needs of society, especially in the current context of the Covid-19 pandemic, the economic crisis and the security crisis.”
The bill, which will now be taken up by the Chamber of Deputies, would legalize the possession of up to an ounce of pot by adults as long as they do not consume it in front of children, the Associated Press reported. The legislation would allow a person to grow up to six marijuana plants and open the way for establishing a system of licensing for larger-scale production and sale, the wire service said.
In their statement, the Bishops’ Conference expressed concern that “there was a lack of pluralistic public debate and that experts on this subject in particular were not heard,” Fides, the information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies, reported.
Continued below.
Mexico's bishops warn of consequences of legalizing pot
