As discussed in our previous post, Mexican lawmakers had until the end of October to issue regulations on cannabis. Nonetheless, and even though a preliminary draft bill for cannabis legalization was recently introduced in the Congress, the Mexican Senate now believes that additional time will be needed to reach an agreement on how cannabis should be regulated.
On October 28, 2019, three days prior to the deadline, the Mexican Senate requested an extension from the Mexican Supreme Court of Justice. The extension was granted through an Accord dated October 31, 2019.
Pursuant to the Accord, published on the Supreme Court’s website, the President of the Senate’s Board, Mrs. Mónica Fernández Balboa, requested the extension in order to bring together the views of various sectors of society (medical, academic, agricultural and business sectors) and generate an agreed regulation on cannabis.
This request was reviewed immediately by the Supreme Court which, “on an exceptional basis, as a special one-time event, considering the complexity of the matter“, granted the requested extension until April 30, 2020, the last day of the ordinary session period of the Mexican Congress. By this date, both the Mexican Senate and the Chamber of Deputies must pass the legislation.
Despite all the remaining obstacles, Mexico is still moving forward with cannabis legalization. We will continue to report on the progress of this legislation.
