{"id":3411,"date":"2022-07-05T12:41:18","date_gmt":"2022-07-05T12:41:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.meneseslegal.com\/english\/?p=3411"},"modified":"2022-10-13T09:51:57","modified_gmt":"2022-10-13T09:51:57","slug":"a-travelers-guide-to-mexicos-laws-on-drugs-and-firearms","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.meneseslegal.com\/english\/a-travelers-guide-to-mexicos-laws-on-drugs-and-firearms\/","title":{"rendered":"A Traveler\u2019s Guide to Mexico\u2019s Laws on Drugs and Firearms"},"content":{"rendered":"

Did you know Mexico is renowned for its extremely strict approach to drugs and firearms cases? The country\u2019s stringent drugs and firearms laws are designed to deter violent crimes committed by its notorious cartels<\/u><\/a>. The penalties for breaking drug laws in Mexico have grown increasingly severe since former president Felipe Calderon declared a war on Cartel drug operations in 2006<\/u><\/a>. Mexican authorities also have severe punishments in place for those that break firearms laws to curb the high number of gun deaths in the country<\/u><\/a>.<\/p>\n

So, what does the law say about drugs and firearms in Mexico? What are the penalties for breaking these laws? If you\u2019re curious to learn more, read on!<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s a close look at Mexico\u2019s laws regarding drugs and firearms.<\/p>\n

Drugs<\/b><\/strong><\/h2>\n

\"Cannabis<\/p>\n

Legal Definition<\/h3>\n

It\u2019s tempting to assume you know what the term \u2018drugs\u2019 means. But did you know the legal definition of this term varies from country to country?<\/p>\n

According to Article 193 of Mexico\u2019s Federal Penal Code<\/u><\/a>, the term \u2018drugs\u2019 refers to all narcotics, psychotropics<\/u><\/a>, and other substances that alter a person\u2019s consciousness. This includes all derivatives and forms of opium, opium poppies, diacetylmorphine (commonly known as \u2018morphine\u2019), heroin, cannabis, and cocaine as per Article 237 of Mexico\u2019s General Health Law<\/u><\/a>. It also refers to any controlled pharmaceutical drugs that are derived from these substances as per Article 234 of Mexico\u2019s General Health Law.<\/p>\n

Production & Supply<\/h3>\n

\"Pills<\/p>\n

The penalty for committing a drug crime in Mexico is harsher if you\u2019re charged with drug production and\/or supply compared to possession. According to Article 194 of the Federal Penal Code<\/u><\/a>, drug production is defined as the manufacture and\/or preparation of narcotics for selling, buying, acquiring, or disposing of them. On the other hand, supply refers to handing over possession or intending to hand over possession of narcotics for any reason.<\/p>\n

If you supply, manufacture and\/or cultivate drugs or their derivatives in Mexico, you\u2019ll be liable for up to 25 years in prison. Moreover, if you\u2019re charged with obtaining products, machines, and\/or equipment that can be used to grow and\/or manufacture drugs, you\u2019ll be liable for an additional 5 to 15 years in prison and a fine worth up to 300 days of your salary as per Article 196 of the Federal Penal Code<\/u><\/a>.<\/p>\n

The penalties for producing and\/or supplying drugs are harsher for public servants such as police officers. If you\u2019re charged with drug production and\/or supply and you\u2019re a public servant, you\u2019ll be disqualified from your role for up to 5 years in addition to facing the penalties mentioned above. However, if you lack education and your livelihood solely depends on the cultivation and\/or production of drugs, you\u2019ll only get a maximum of 6 years in prison according to Article 198 of the Federal Penal Code<\/u><\/a>.<\/p>\n

Possession<\/h3>\n

\"A<\/p>\n

Mexican authorities differentiate between possession and intention to supply and\/or manufacture drugs depending on how much of the drug you have on your person. Here\u2019s a list of common drugs and the maximum amount that constitutes possession according to Article 479 of Mexico\u2019s General Health law<\/u><\/a>:<\/p>\n