The legalization of cannabis in Mexico is an ongoing process that encompasses different legal steps and challenges . Policymakers need to better understand how the industry is moving in other international jurisdictions to make use of Mexico ’ s economic potential as a big player . Unfortunately , the presence of drug cartels could be a ‘ deal-breaker ’ for local growers interested in producing legal hemp or marijuana at a medium or large scale .
With clear cannabis regulations , more physicians and medical institutions will be able to research cannabis and understand its medicinal potential and benefits . At the moment , the Mexican society is ready for medicinal cannabis but not at all ready for a recreational cannabis industry .
Challenges in the coming years
If cannabis regulation is approved this year , the next step for 2021 is the creation of bylaws , which will cover the operational aspects of the law and all the implementation details , like granting licences , imports of CBD products , seed regulations , GMP and many other aspects . That being said , the real challenges that Mexico will face after passing cannabis regulation are numerous . Here are some of the problems that Mexico will need to face :
• Lack of transparency and legislation to detect the legal origin of economic resources and how to prevent money laundering .
• The influence of criminal groups in growing and distributing recreational cannabis and products derived from marijuana .
• Excessive regulation and no support for the economic development of the industry .
• Priority of adult-use rather than a focus on medical and industrial hemp .
• Lack of knowledge and education of physicians and nurses around medical cannabis .
“ Mexican society is ready for medicinal cannabis but not at all ready for a recreational cannabis industry .
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