Cannabis in Mexico

Cannabis in Mexico is legal for both recreational and medicinal purposes. It became legal for recreational purposes in June 2021, upon application and issuance of a permit from the health secretariat, COFEPRIS (Comisión Federal para la Protección contra Riesgos Sanitarios). On 29 June 2021, the Supreme Court of Mexico decriminalized the recreational use of cannabis. President Andrés Manuel López Obrador signed a bill that allows adults 18 and over to possess up to 28 grams of cannabis and grow up to six marijuana plants on their property.

The Supreme Court of Mexico first declared the law prohibiting its use unconstitutional on October 31, 2018. The effect of the ruling is that the Congress of Mexico was ordered to formally legalize cannabis within a period of 90 days. However, the Mexican Congress did not abide and the Supreme Court has often extended the deadline.

Cannabis had previously been illegal since 1920, personal possession of small amounts was decriminalized in 2009, and medical use of THC content less than one percent was legalized in 2017.

On March 10, 2021, the Chamber of Deputies passed a bill legalizing recreational marijuana, which was expected to go before the Senate by April 30, 2021. If the bill had been approved, the bill would have gone before the President of Mexico in order to be signed into law.

After the April 30, 2021 deadline, there was a 10-day period for the Senate to ask the Supreme Court of Mexico for a time extension. However, before the deadline expired, some lawmakers decided to seek a special legislative session after the June elections. On June 10, 2021, the Supreme Court decided to list the ¨declaration of unconstitutionality¨ on its docket for a vote on June 28. The Court voted to legalize adult use of marijuana in an 8-3 decision.