Mexican Marijuana Activists Build Marijuana Park Next To Senate Building

JAKARTA - Mexicans now don't have to worry about being picked up when they smoke marijuana. They can even smoke the stuff right next to the parliament building. Pro-marijuana activists deliberately built the park in order to fight for the legalization of marijuana.

The cannabis seeds sown in a Mexican Senate square by pro-marijuana activists in February have grown into a bushy plant today, according to Reuters. The place is a park that symbolizes efforts to legalize marijuana in a country riddled with narcotics-related violence.

"Being able to smoke here (in the park) with freedom is very important to me," said Marco Flores, puffing out his cigarette smoke on a bench facing the Congress House.

Mexico's Supreme Court has previously ruled that laws prohibiting the use of marijuana are unconstitutional. Until now, the government has not drafted a regulation that officially legalizes marijuana, and there is no penalty for arresting marijuana users after the verdict.

The previous version of the law was approved by a Senate committee since last year before the court's deadline in October. Senator Julio Ramón Menchaca Salazar of the ruling Morena party said in April that legislators still had to resolve certain disputes over the law. By legalizing marijuana, it is hoped that financial resources will be provided when the economy can recover since the COVID-19 pandemic.

While advocates were eager to enact reforms, they also raised several problems with the legislation being drafted, particularly those relating to restorative justice. They want to improve social justice provisions, provide protection for cannabis consumers and ensure markets empower domestic farmers, especially those most affected by the drug war.

People who wish to smoke marijuana may enter the park for a limited time: 30 minutes. They can eat the plant without fear of being caught by the authorities.

The police seemed to turn a blind eye to the practice. This incident will continue to pass until a new law is passed.

"It's great they have opened up space for people who are open to new experiences, or who want to know a little about this subject," said Carlos Diaz, another marijuana smoker. "They can come and check it out."

For Jose Rivera, a cannabis activist, the cannabis garden is a tool to educate and offer human rights. "We want (Mexican lawmakers) to understand that we smoke in secret and that we are not a risk to anyone," he concluded.