MEXICO CITY (Reuters) - Mexico’s Supreme Court on Wednesday ruled that an absolute ban on recreational use of marijuana was unconstitutional, effectively leaving it to lawmakers to regulate consumption of the drug.

FILE PHOTO: A participant prepares a marijuana joint during the Global Marijuana March 2017, in support of the legalization of marijuana in Mexico City, Mexico May 6, 2017. REUTERS/Henry Romero/File Photo

Announcing it had found in favor of two legal challenges filed against prohibition of recreational marijuana use, Mexico’s top court crossed the threshold needed to create jurisprudence: five similar rulings on the matter.

That creates a precedent other Mexican courts will have to follow.

“This is a historic day,” Fernando Belaunzaran, an advocate of drug reform and member of the opposition leftist Party of the Democratic Revolution (PRD), said.

The Supreme Court made its first ruling to allow a group of people to grow marijuana for personal use in November 2015.

In a statement, the court said the ruling did not create an absolute right to use marijuana and that consumption of certain substances could still be subject to regulation.

“But the effects caused by marijuana do not justify an absolute prohibition on its consumption,” it said.

The court ordered federal health regulator COFEPRIS to authorize people seeking the right to use marijuana to do so personally, “albeit without allowing them to market it, or use other narcotics or psychotropic drugs.”

Congress would now have to act to regulate the use of marijuana in Mexico, Belaunzaran said.

Officials in the incoming government of President-elect Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador have indicated they could take steps to legalize marijuana quickly as part of a broader strategy to fight poverty and crime.</s>Mexico’s Supreme Court on Wednesday ruled that an absolute ban on recreational use of marijuana was unconstitutional, effectively leaving it to lawmakers to regulate consumption of the drug.

READ MORE: Will imported marijuana ease a shortage after October 17?

Announcing it had found in favour of two legal challenges filed against prohibition of recreational marijuana use, Mexico’s top court crossed the threshold needed to create jurisprudence: five similar rulings on the matter.

That creates a precedent other Mexican courts will have to follow.

“This is a historic day,” Fernando Belaunzaran, an advocate of drug reform and member of the opposition leftist Party of the Democratic Revolution (PRD), said.

WATCH: Marijuana: The good, the bad and the just plain confused

The Supreme Court made its first ruling to allow a group of people to grow marijuana for personal use in November 2015.

In a statement, the court said the ruling did not create an absolute right to use marijuana and that consumption of certain substances could still be subject to regulation.

“But the effects caused by marijuana do not justify an absolute prohibition on its consumption,” it said.

READ MORE: Canada could be a leader in the global cannabis market — if the rules loosen up: experts

The court ordered federal health regulator COFEPRIS to authorize people seeking the right to use marijuana to do so personally, “albeit without allowing them to market it, or use other narcotics or psychotropic drugs.”

Congress would now have to act to regulate the use of marijuana in Mexico, Belaunzaran said.

Officials in the incoming government of President-elect Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador have indicated they could take steps to legalize marijuana quickly as part of a broader strategy to fight poverty and crime.</s>MEXICO CITY – Mexico’s Supreme Court has ruled a ban on recreational marijuana use is unconstitutional.

Reuters reports the nation’s highest court found in favor of a pair of legal challenges filed against the prohibition against marijuana use and states the ruling effectively leaves it up to lawmakers to regulate use of the substance.

The two decisions make five similar rulings on the matter, which sets a precedent lower Mexican courts must adhere to.

Visit Reuters for more on this story.</s>Mexico’s Supreme Court ruled for the fourth and fifth times Wednesday that blanket bans on recreational use of marijuana are unconstitutional. While the rulings do not immediately legalize recreational use, they do set a precedent that other courts must now follow in any individual cases. In Mexican law, it takes five rulings on an issue to establish a firm precedent.

The court established that the fundamental right to free personal development allows adults to elect their own forms of recreation, including personal use of marijuana. The ruling added that it did not authorize individuals to commercialize marijuana or use other narcotics and that the right to recreation is not absolute–the government can still regulate how people use marijuana. Until such rules exist, individuals in Mexico will need to request a judge’s court order to exercise the ability to use recreational marijuana (story in Spanish).

The ball is now in the court of Mexico’s congress, which changes hands next month to the Morena party, to issue updated laws and regulations for the personal use of marijuana. Morena officials have expressed openness to legalizing marijuana in an update to Mexico’s long drug war.

Mexico’s health regulator, Cofepris, has been discussing rules for legal production of marijuana-based substances since at least last year, to enable the use of medical marijuana, which has been legal since 2017. The agency is behind schedule on issuing its rules (story in Spanish) and as of last month a Cofepris official noted that such products will have to meet strict regulatory requirements similar to pharmaceutical drugs (story in Spanish).

Earlier this year, legal sales of recreational marijuana began in Canada and the top South African court struck down limits on recreational marijuana, the latter partly on privacy grounds. Uruguay legalized medical marijuana in 2013, with sales beginning last year.</s>MEXICO CITY — Mexico's Supreme Court issued two more rulings Wednesday ordering that complainants in individual cases be allowed to use marijuana for recreational purposes, establishing a precedent that a blanket prohibition on pot is unconstitutional.

The court found that adults have a fundamental right to personal development which lets them decide their recreational activities without interference from the state.

"That right is not absolute, and the consumption of certain substances may be regulated, but the effects provoked by marijuana do not justify an absolute prohibition of its consumption," the ruling said.

The high court ordered the Federal Commission for the Protection against Sanitary Risk to authorize the complainants to consume marijuana, though not to commercialize it or use other drugs.

The two decisions followed three similar ones between 2015 and 2017, and under Mexican law five decisions on a related issue set a standard that applies more broadly.

"With the existence of five precedents in the same vein on the subject, the judgment will be mandatory for all courts in the country," the high tribunal concluded.

The rulings technically do not legalize recreational use, however. They establish that courts must allow it, but it is still up to each individual to press his or her case in the judicial system.

Mexico saw something similar happen in recent years with five Supreme Court rulings establishing a broader precedent allowing same-sex couples to wed, though same-sex marriage has yet to become the law of the land nationwide.

Mexico United Against Crime, a group that opposes prohibitionist drug policies, said Wednesday's rulings "open the door to regulation of cannabis" and confirm that "Mexico must move toward the regulation of drugs to improve conditions of justice and peace in the country."

Formal legalization would be up to Congress, and the group urged lawmakers to act.

"The Supreme Court has done its job. ... The responsibility for issuing the corresponding regulation falls on congress," the group's director general, Lisa Sanchez, said in a statement.

Mexico has long been the source of marijuana smuggled into the United States. The rulings from Mexico's Supreme Court come after many U.S. states have legalized pot in recent years for medicinal purposes, recreational use or both.</s>While Mexico began Día de Muertos celebrations, the country's Supreme Court offered a gift of epic proportions. The court ruled an absolute ban on the adult use of cannabis is unconstitutional.

This doesn’t mean cannabis users south of the border can start lighting up in the streets today. But it does mean lawmakers will now be charged with the responsibility of regulating the consumption of the plant. And make no mistake: it's a huge victory for legalization advocates and investors looking to get an early lead in the race to legalize cannabis in Mexico.

One company that’s been strategic about entering the Mexico market is Khiron Life Sciences (OTC: KHRNF).

The company recently started an education program by hosting and sponsoring the CannaMexico conference, which former Mexico president Vincente Fox has championed. Not coincidentally, Fox sits on the board of Khiron.

While Khiron is known for its core operations in Colombia, the company is actively seeking to expand throughout Latin America. With the former president of Mexico in its corner, Khiron has a distinct advantage. It also doesn’t hurt that Mexico's new president Andrés Manuel López Obrador is also in favor of legalization.

Last month, The Green Organic Dutchman (OTC: TGODF) announced its entry into a strategic joint venture with LLACA Grupo Empresarial to create a company to enter the medicinal cannabis market in Mexico.

LLACA is a distribution company with access to distributors with commercialized pharmaceutical and OTC products. Their reach includes 4,500 pharmacies and 3,100 supermarkets throughout Mexico.

The deal allows TGOD full access to LLACA’s services, which, in addition to distribution, include warehousing, product registrations, regulatory representation and authorized clinical trials.

In addition to Khiron and TGOD, other public cannabis companies with exposure to Mexico include ICC Labs (OTC: ICCLF) — which is soon to be acquired by Aurora Cannabis Inc (NYSE: ACB) — and Medical Marijuana, Inc. (OTC: MJNA).

The bottom line is that the Latin American cannabis industry is projected to be worth nearly $13 billion in less than 10 years, with Chile and Mexico expected to be the engines of growth in the medical cannabis sector, according to Prohibition Partners.

While cannabis investors have been focused on Canada, that focus is moving south to the U.S. and Mexico.

Make no mistake: a legal cannabis market in Mexico is going to occur, and it promises to be incredibly profitable for those who are positioned for the move.

3 Small Cannabis Companies To Keep An Eye On&</s>MEXICO CITY (AP) — Mexico’s Supreme Court has issued two more rulings in individual cases establishing a precedent that a blanket prohibition on recreational marijuana use is unconstitutional.

The court finds that adults may decide their personal activities without interference from the state. It adds that the right is not absolute and the government may regulate use of controlled substances, but “the effects provoked by marijuana do not justify an absolute prohibition of its consumption.”

The court ordered the federal government to authorize the complainants in the cases to consume marijuana, though not that they be allowed to commercialize it or use other drugs.

Wednesday’s decisions add to three similar ones between 2015 and 2017. Since there are now five rulings on the matter, the individual cases set a precedent that applies more broadly.

This story has been corrected to show that the previous rulings came between 2015 and 2017.</s>Concerns about crime rates, drug addiction and long-term health and safety have sheriffs in mid-Michigan joining law enforcement officials across the state in opposition to a statewide ballot proposal that would legalize the recreational use of marijuana.

Sheriffs Michael Main of Isabella County, John Wilson of Clare County and Doug Wright of Gratiot County signed their names alongside at least 70 other Michigan sheriffs in opposition to Proposal 18-1 set to be decided on Tuesday's ballot.

They join the Michigan Sheriffs Association, Michigan Association of Chiefs of Police, Michigan Association of Treatment Court Professionals, and the Prosecuting Attorneys Association of Michigan in endorsing a campaign against the initiative by a group called Healthy and Productive Michigan, in a final push to sway public opinion on the measure.

Proposal 1 seeks to legalize the use and possession of small quantities of marijuana and marijuana edibles by those 21 and older. Taxes collected on sales and business permitting related to recreational marijuana would benefit "implementation costs, clinical trials, schools, roads and municipalities where marijuana businesses are located," according to the ballot language.

A majority of Michigan voters—57 percent— support Proposal 1, according to an Oct. 25-27 poll of 600 likely voters conducted for The Detroit News and WDIV, with only 2.8 percent of those polled saying they are undecided on the issue.

All three sheriffs shared statistics from other states that have legalized the recreational use of marijuana — in particular Colorado — that raise red flags for the law enforcement officials.

Law enforcement officials in Michigan are also sharing the film “Chronic State, How Marijuana Normalization Impacts Communities," which is being used a benchmark for information supporting the continued prohibition of recreational marijuana use.

"My big concerns are facts proven by legalizing marijuana in other states," Wright said. "Colorado is now number one in the United States with the highest percent of youth smoking marijuana; also (Colorado has) a very high rate of youth going to hospital emergency rooms for treatment for passing out after smoking."

Although the proposal would allow recreational marijuana use in Michigan only for those 21-year-old or older, the sheriffs noted that in Colorado, youth consumption increased with legalization.

"I also have concerns for long chronic use with the TCH levels so high and for youth using at such a young age for a long period of time," Main said. "I'm fearful that there maybe long lasting health effects that will occur."

The potential for an increase in crimes related to marijuana industries is a concern for all three mid-Michigan sheriffs.

"Just like in other states that have similar laws, the cartels and black markets will set up shop here in Michigan," Wilson said. "In Colorado the bordering sheriffs have had a large increase in crime related to the legalization of recreational marijuana. Sure we can make laws to prevent and to protect, but obviously there are those who do not follow the laws, thus will create more of a work load on law enforcement."

Wright said he foresees an increase in thefts and burglaries to fund marijuana use.

"Currently many of our larceny and breaking and entering crimes are committed by people trying to get money to buy meth or heroin, he said. "If this is legalized those crimes will certainly increase with those same people wanting to buy marijuana."

The sheriffs wonder if the costs of increased crime rates and emergency issues will make the potential tax revenue from recreational marijuana a wash.

"I hear that it will bring much needed tax money into this state, trust me when I say the money that would be brought in wouldn’t even come close to the lasting effects it will have on our environment and society," Wilson said.

As law enforcement representatives in legal marijuana states compile information, they've shared those findings with other states and for a couple of years Michigan officials have been attending presentations.

"They have one message and that is recreational marijuana has not generated the revenue that was promised and that it has negatively impacted their states greatly," Main said.

The bottom line for law enforcement officials across the state and the sheriffs in mid-Michigan is that marijuana is a "mind-altering" drug that can be unpredictable or carry unforeseen consequences.

"I realize that this is a heated topic among many, one way or the other. However, I don't believe that this is a positive thing for our communities," Main said. "I would like to see it left as medical marijuana through a doctors care."</s>MANISTEE COUNTY — Local law enforcement officials are voicing their opposition to a measure on the ballot which could legalize recreational marijuana.

If approved, Michigan would be the 10th state to legalize marijuana for recreational use.

According to the ballot language, Proposal 1 would impose a 10-ounce limit for marijuana kept at residences and require amounts over 2.5 ounces to be secured in locked containers, and permit retail sales of marijuana and edibles subject to a 10-percent excise tax, dedicated to implementation costs, clinical trials, schools, roads and municipalities where marijuana businesses are located.

It would also change several current violations from crimes to civil infractions.

The proposal aims to regulate marijuana in similar ways as alcohol. It would be illegal for anyone under 21 to purchase or use marijuana, and marijuana retailers and growers would be licensed by the state. It also would remain illegal to use marijuana in public.

Several local law enforcement officials discussed their opposition to the proposal.

“What this proposal suggests is a 10-ounce limit, which is significantly higher than other states that have legalized it already,” said Jason Haag, Manistee County prosecuting attorney. “The amount for most states is 1-ounce and one state with 2.5-ounce, so this a massive increase.”

Haag said that — contrary to some proponents who say it would decrease crime rates — he expects the opposite would be true, citing crime rates in other states that have legalized marijuana.

“We’ve actually found that it would likely increase our case load,” he said. “Although charges for possession would no longer be added to the list, in states where it has been legalized we’ve actually seen an increase in crime due to issues like traffic accidents among other things.”

Haag said if Proposal 1 passes, he foresees several unintended consequences.

“In states where it has been legalized, we’ve seen issues with cartels and such treating the states as a safe haven, creating a black market to sell to states where it hasn’t been legalized,” he explained. “Another unintended consequence is the possibility that insurance rates will increase, and Michigan already has some of the highest rates around.”

Manistee County Sheriff John O’Hagan expressed his strong opposition to the proposal, and felt that it would be detrimental to the community.

“We don’t know what people are smoking, how much THC is in their system, and now these people would be driving. They’re driving semis, school buses, cars and coming to work,” he said. “The statistics show that in states where it is legal, there is increased absenteeism. People have lost their jobs because they can’t pass a drug test, and they’re out there driving on our streets.”

Law enforcers throughout the state have expressed concerns about having no way to monitor amounts of marijuana in an individual’s system, the way that alcohol can.

While some proponents argue that legalization will contribute to the reduction of opioid abuse, O’Hagan cited a statistic that said the opposite was true.

“In one study that I’m aware of, they linked marijuana to opiate usage, and said you were nearly 3 times as likely to use opiates if you have used marijuana,” he said. “The interesting thing on this issue is that, depending on what study you look at, both sides are accounted for. But when you look back at some of the states where it’s legal, their numbers and statistics don’t lie.”

The proposal would create a state licensing system for recreational marijuana businesses that closely tracks with the state’s new system to regulate medical marijuana, which voters approved in 2008.

O’Hagan said recreational usage of marijuana is a separate issue from medicinal use.

“Where else is there a substance that you can use both recreationally and medicinally?” he said. “If it’s a medicine, great, I want that to be there for people who need it and go through the right channels and get it the right way. I’m afraid that this way, anybody is able to grow it, and they’re allowed to have so much of it. How do we police that?”

The Coalition to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol (CRMLA), which formed to support the Yes on Proposal 1 legalization campaign, issued a statement in September after several Michigan law enforcement agencies stated their opposition to the legalization of recreational marijuana.

“We encourage an open and honest debate on this important issue. Unfortunately, that’s not what we see from some who have chosen to confuse the public with dubious or contested statistics rather than discuss facts,” said CRMLA spokesperson John Truscott. “The fact is that marijuana prohibition has been a complete failure and a waste of law enforcement resources – regulation and taxation provide a far better alternative.”

Truscott stated that communities will have control over the ability to regulate or prohibit marijuana businesses, and cited statistics that indicated auto accident rates in Washington and Colorado compared very similarly to states without recreational legalization.

Voters will decide on three ballot proposals in November, with other proposals involving the formation of an independent redistricting commission and a proposal that aims to broaden voters’ access to polls.</s>Jan. 1 marks five years since the sale of recreational marijuana became legal in Colorado, and now, Denver is sharing what it’s learned with the other states and countries that have followed suit.

It’s part of a three day Marijuana Management Symposium, which was attended by stakeholders from the U.S., Canada and the Netherlands, according to a news release from the city.

Among the topics up for discussion were the state of marijuana around the country, banking, cannabis tracking technology, and enforcement against illegal growers and distributors.

In a media availability Thursday morning, Denver Mayor Hancock attributed Denver’s success with marijuana legalization to collaboration.

“Everyone really owning their part, their role, and really taking their responsibility for implementing a strong framework,” Hancock said.

What he sees as the next challenges for the marijuana industry and state to tackle are sealing pot-related convictions, as well as implementing a better banking system.

Hancock also said there have been unforeseen challenges associated with legal recreational marijuana, from regulating pesticides to a uniform labeling of THC and marijuana-infused products.

“We need to dig deep on a lot of these issues,” Hancock said.

The symposium started on Wednesday and lasts until Friday at the Embassy Suites in Denver.

For more information, head to: bit.ly/2EvPDBE
A complete ban on recreational use of marijuana is ruled unconstitutional by Mexico's Supreme Court, putting the responsibility of regulating its consumption on lawmakers.