Mexico Drugs Bill Back, But Milder

According to AP reports, Mexico lawmakers will on Wednesday be proposing a re-crafted 2006 bill which decriminalized some drug possession in Mexico and was aimed at reforming drug law in order to focus law enforcement efforts on busting drug dealers; the 2006 bill drew harsh US criticism amid predictions that it would cause young Americans to travel to Mexico for "drug tourism."

The original bill which passed the Senate in April, 2006, decriminalized the carrying of small amounts of "recreational" drugs for personal use in many circumstances, including possession of a fifth of an ounce of marijuana, as well as mandated drug treatment for problem drug users. The new bill apparently exempts from criminal prosecution only some indigineous Mexicans who traditionally use hallucinogens like peyote in rituals, first time offenders possessing small amounts of some drugs, like less than two grams of marijuana, and those who can prove they're in the process of treating a drug problem. First time offenders possessing less than two grams of pot would be fined, according to reports.

The original bill was downed in May, 2006, by Mexican then-president Vincente Fox; it was said that US politicians feared it would cause "young Americans" to flock to Mexico for "Amsterdam-style drug tourism." A subsequent Student Travel poll showed that, should Mexico decriminalize drugs, less than 1/4 of responding readers would plan a trip to the country solely for that reason.

• Read current news stories on Mexico drug decriminalization proposition

Related: April, 2006: Mexico Legalizing Some Drugs | May, 2006: Mexico Drug Bill Downed | June, 2006: Mexico Lawmakers Again Discussing Drug Decriminalization

AP reports were used in compiling this story.