Consequences of Carrying Cannabis in a Drug-Free Zone in Tijuana
2021 has been a significant year for cannabis users in Mexico. The government, coupled with the justice system, eased bans on drugs possession and usage. They also released a new set of rules and regulations related to medical marijuana.
The government is working efficiently to make medical cannabis available in the market as the Supreme Court voted to legalize recreational cannabis consumption.
Here’s all you need to know about using and transporting drugs through the Southern Mexican border.
More About Medical Cannabis Decriminalization
While medical marijuana was decriminalized in Mexico in 2017, the government took ample time to regulate the process of producing, manufacturing, storing, and selling controlled drugs.
The framework wasn’t available to the public until January 2021. It was issued by the Secretary of Health under the medical marijuana program. The framework also stipulated the legalities around medical marijuana prescriptions.
Purchasing, Selling, and Using Drugs in Tijuana: Allowed Limits
Whether you’re a citizen or a traveler, you must understand all limitations related to drugs.
While certain amounts of CBD products are allowed by Mexican law, transporting them can lead to detention. When in Tijuana, Mexico, don’t use or carry CBD products that contain more than 1% THC (the paranoia-inducing compound).
Otherwise, you may be arrested for drug possession. In case you’ve been wrongfully detained, hire an adept drug crime lawyer in Tijuana today.
Penalties for Drugs Smuggling in Tijuana
Drug possession and smuggling are severe offenses in Tijuana, Mexico. Convicted individuals may be sentenced to as much as 25 years in jail. Purchasing medical marijuana without a prescription, or possessing drugs with an intent to sell can lead to severe punishments. In such cases, both seller and the buyer may be prosecuted for carrying out illicit transactions.
Ever since medical marijuana was legalized in Mexico, some doctors have been arrested as they didn’t write the correct prescription or wrote one without a due cause. Travelers arrested in these cases have been jailed and are now waiting for the Mexican legal system to make a decision.
Medical Prescriptions: Foreign vs. Mexican
Note that foreign medical marijuana prescriptions are not valid in Mexico, i.e. you cannot use a prescription from another country to buy medicinal drugs in Mexico.
The list of controlled and regulated cannabis products is very different in Mexico than in the US. Transporting drugs, even if accompanied by a medical prescription, is considered a federal-level drug trafficking offense.
You will need a prescription from a Mexican doctor to make a purchase. For more information, you can refer to the Mexican Federal Commission for Protection against Health Risks (COFEPRIS) website.
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