The Inside Track
on Mexico
With Mexican political leaders gradually beginning to accept the
idea of a legal cannabis market, we interviewed former Mexican
public health offi cial Jorge Rubio, now a cannabis advisor and
entrepreneur, to fi nd out what the pathway to legalization looks
like, and what to expect from the future.
Words by Lucy MacKinnon
What steps have been made to create a
legal cannabis market in Mexico so far?
products. There are also plans outlined
concerning marketing, packaging,
import and export. Another aspect is
the industrial side, with licenses to grow
different types and amounts of cannabis
in different Mexican states.
A: In 2018 a new administration
proposed a bill which included the
legalization of recreational, medical
and industrial cannabis, which were
developed into several separate bills by
the Senate Chamber last year.
Then in October there were conference
meetings with experts and public
conferences where thoughts and ideas
on the industry were exchanged. After
these meetings the cannabis regulation
law was proposed by three commissions
working together.
The Commission of Justice, the
Commission of Health and the
Commission of Procedure’s draft law
for the legalization of cannabis includes
recreational, medical, scientifi c and
industrial aspects. A: Right now, we don’t have any experts
in Mexico except from in growing
cannabis which we’ve had for many
years, but they are not on the legal side.
We really need policy makers, industry
and technical specialists, as well as the
physicians or nurses with expertise in
this medical fi eld.
It will be a huge boost in terms of jobs,
but I think we need expertise from
around the world, seed to sale, to help us
make this successful.
What does the cannabis legalization bill
propose? If cannabis is fully legalized in Mexico,
how do you think people will react?
A: There are many initiatives included,
from what licenses hemp growers will
receive to the possibility of residents
growing four cannabis plants at home.
Introducing cannabis associations with
a maximum of 20 members to enforce
a regulation against consuming in the
street is also proposed.
There are initiatives focused on the
scientifi c and medicinal side of cannabis,
where all research and academic
institutions will have a license to
investigate the plant and create medical A: Mexico is a conservative, and
predominantly Catholic country and
I know that many people do not like
the recreational aspect, they are more
interested in the medical and industrial
side. The people here don’t fully
understand the plant, there are always
stories about cartels, drug dealers and
negative stigma. This is why it is so
important that the people of Mexico are
educated about cannabis, families need
to have open conversations to reduce
this stigma.
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What problems, if any, will the nation
face if this law is implemented?
What effect could it have on local
economies?
A: If they do the right things it will boost
the economy for local communities
and growers. The situation here is that
Mexico needs to create a cannabis and
hemp agricultural policy.
They need to also develop a study, a
national study to see which states have
the potential to grow, which states have
expertise in growing similar crops to see
if hemp and cannabis will greatly benefi t
local communities and economies.
I see a huge potential, so long as
Mexico enforces the right regulations
and promotions. We can be a hub of
producing hemp and cannabis plants
because of the weather, with the cost
of energy and the environmental
characteristics of Mexico, I think we will
be better than Canada and some of the
US states. We can be competitors, but
we can also be partners.
How would a legal cannabis market
impact crime in Mexico?
A: If initially just medical cannabis is
legalized, there is still going to be a
very large market wanting to purchase
cannabis for recreational reasons, and
the street market will continue without
quality testing or standards.
But there are people who buy from the
black market for medicinal reasons, so
medical legalization will not eradicate
the street market, but it has the
potential to diminish it.
Some say if it is also recreational
legalization, the cartels will be
more interested in drug smuggling
amphetamines and cocaine.
Finally, how can all of this turn into law?
A: The Supreme Court has given the
Senate until April 30 to set up these
regulations, so it is said the Senate will
review the bill in March or April. If the
Senate Chambers pass the bill, it is then
passed to the Chamber of Deputies,
who go through the same process with
public hearings and expert readings.
If the bill has approval from both the
Senate and Deputies, then it goes to
the President to sign and then the bill
becomes a law.