New Study Finds That Legal States Have Lower Rates of Cannabis-Impaired Driving
by Chane Leigh
The president of Mexico recently stated that a government panel is being formed in order to make recommendations for a legal cannabis system in the country. Mexican President, Andrés Manuel López Obrador, said this panel will be the committee to study cannabis issues. The committee will then make recommendations on legalization legislation prospectively ahead of the extended deadline to end prohibition on April 30. This seems like a lofty goal with only 60 days to complete it.
Since Mexico’s Supreme Court ruled in 2018 that it is unconstitutional to prohibit cannabis for personal use, legislators have spent months discussing and drafting cannabis reform legislation to create a commercial cannabis market. The original deadline was October 2019 but the government was granted an extension and now has until April 2020. In addition with the public health approach to laying out licensing procedures and local regulations, this committee will review and analyze presented bills.
Advocates had hoped more progress would have been made thus far, yet they patiently wait for the imminent legality of cannabis across the country. An amended reform bill, jointly submitted by the Justice and Health Committees, would legalize possession of up to 28 grams, or 200 grams for those who obtain a certain license. Individuals would also be able to cultivate up to six plants. When this goes into effect, the US will become sandwiched in adult-use legalization.
With over 30 countries (entire countries!) across the globe with at least medical access, the US is not leading the way on this. Even so, only Uruguay and Canada have legalized for adult use rather than sweeping decriminalization for personal rights. In this aspect, Mexico will be one of the game-changers, like Canada – front and center in the now developing global cannabis market. Several big players are now in the global cannabis market in Europe, like Italy and with a significant head-start, my guess is that these countries will become the leaders of a global cannabis market.
The appointed committee will hash out the details of the local market rules and regulations and have repeatedly established confidence that it will be completed before the April 2020 deadline given by the Supreme Court. The opportunity to reduce drug-related crimes, limit foreign investments, and empower neglected communities through cannabis legalization- is closer than ever for Mexico.
With a global cannabis market projecting into the $100 Billions by 2027, as soon as the most industrialized nations open a global trade market for cannabis- this will grow even bigger. Local economic growth, as well as opportunities for job creation, are an added benefit to cannabis legalization. With more than 125 million people, Mexico presents an enormous market opportunity for cannabis entrepreneurs.
Smoking cigarettes can impact one’s oral health by putting them at a higher risk of developing the likes of cancer, gum problems, tooth decay, and complications after oral surgery, according to the Better Health Channel. Does smoking cannabis pose the same risks? Unfortunately, it seems that oral health is put at risk regardless of what…
Cannabis is being increasingly chosen as an alternative to pharmaceutical medication, specifically those like opioids that are intended to reduce pain. Cannabis has been shown to effectively block pain, and recent research confirms that it reduces the need for opiate pain killers among cancer patients. These patients arguably have the most to gain from cannabis,…
Cannabis prohibition started back in the early 1900s in America. States in the east were among the first in the nation to support prohibition. Lawmakers of the time limited public access to cannabis for strictly medical use back in 1914. By 1927—a decade before cannabis was outlawed federally—the state of New York had outlawed cannabis…
Have you ever experienced that dreaded “cotton mouth” after smoking a joint? If so, you are not alone. Cannabis, depending on the chosen strain, may reduce saliva gland production. Because of this, the body produces less saliva and the mouth becomes drier than the Sahara Desert! But does this mean that cannabis dehydrates you? This…
Some folks absolutely love moon rocks and others want nothing to do with them. I’m not talking about rocks from our moon—I’m talking about cannabis moon rocks. These mega-balls of THC have started trending in recent years, but many members of the cannabis community still don’t know what they are or what they’re designed for….
Psychedelic therapy and microdosing in particular have been gaining attention around the world in recent years. But have you ever heard of…
CBD’s growing legality across the U.S. and beyond has contributed to a swelling range of products. With the continued growth of the…
Germany began crafting legalization legislation, Rob Dyrdek and DJ Diplo launched a line of cannabis-infused seltzers, and Oregon passed the first-ever synthetic…