Two-thirds of Mexicans oppose pot legalization—poll

Senator Cristina Diaz Salazar, left, talks on the senate floor as she introduces a bill that would allow patients easier access to cannabis-based medicines, in Mexico City, Tuesday, November 10, 2015. The measure does not propose wholesale legalization of medical marijuana but rather seeks to permit the importation of cannabis and derivatives for medicinal purposes. Domestic pot production would still be prohibited. AP Photo

MEXICO CITY, Mexico—Two-thirds of Mexicans oppose the legalization of marijuana, an opinion poll showed on Tuesday, days after the Supreme Court opened the door to legalizing cannabis.

But 63 percent are in favor of a debate on whether to end the country’s marijuana prohibition, according to the survey published by El Universal newspaper.

The telephone poll was taken on November 6 and 7 among 1,000 adults, two days after the top court authorized four individuals to grow marijuana for their personal consumption.

The survey, which has a 3.1 percentage point margin of error, showed that 60 percent of Mexicans disagreed with the court’s decision, which could set a legal precedent if the justices issue four more similar rulings.

A poll in October by the Parametria polling firm—before the court’s decision—showed that 77 percent opposed legalizing marijuana.

READ: Mexican president opposes marijuana legalization

The ruling prompted President Enrique Pena Nieto to announce on Monday that his government will convene medical experts and sociologists to debate the issue and decide whether to craft legislation.

Pena Nieto left the door open to reversing his opposition to legalizing marijuana, depending on the results of the debate.

While the El Universal poll showed that only 32 percent are against legalization, 79 percent are in favor of authorizing medical marijuana.

READ: Mexico supreme court opens door to recreational pot use

An eight-year-old girl became last month the first person to be authorized by the government to use cannabis-based medicine to treat her severe form of epilepsy.

Supporters of legalization argue that allowing citizens to grow and smoke their own pot would take a major source of cash away from drug cartels and help reduce the country’s brutal gang turf wars.

But the survey showed that 63 percent of Mexicans do not believe that violence and impunity will decrease in Mexico if pot is made legal.