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In August 2009, Mexico adopted a new law against small-scale drug dealing, which introduces some significant advances in key subjects, such as the recognising of and distinguishing between user, drug addict and dealer. However it still has significant flaws in continuing to treat demand and supply of drugs as a criminal and market phenomenon that are likely to undermine its successful application.
In 2008, in the face of exponential growth in organised crime, violence and the alarming rise in drug consumption in Mexico over the preceding years, President Felipe Calderón Hinojosa proposed a bill to the Congress of the Union as part of his general security strategy. Its aim is to fight small-scale drug dealing, known in Mexico as "narcomenudeo".
The law against small-scale drug dealing is the term coined by the media that refers to the proposal to reform, add to and repeal various orders of three Mexican federal laws: the General Health Law (LGS), the Federal Penal Code (CPF), and the Federal Code of Penal Proceedings (CFPP). The law was passed by both legislative Houses of Congress in April 2009, and came into effect on August 21.
Positive aspects of the new law
Negative aspects of the new law
The authors are members of Colectivo por una Política Integral hacia las Drogas (CUPIHD).
November 2009
Series on Legislative Reform of Drug Policies Nr. 3