A narrow ruling by Mexico's Supreme Court could
eventually clear a path to make recreational use of
marijuana legal.
Four people in the Mexican Society for Responsible and
Tolerant Personal Use will now be permitted to grow and
smoke their own marijuana.
Marijuana still cannot be sold in Mexico but some say
the court's ruling could lead to full legalisation.
Mexico has long struggled with violent conflict from
drug cartels.
The advocacy group first brought the case forward in
2013, seeking permission to grow plants for recreational
use.
The court voted 4-1 that prohibiting people from growing
the drug for consumption was unconstitutional.
At the scene: Reporter Speech
In a country that faces drug violence on a massive scale,
this is a significant ruling. Although the ruling only
applies to the individuals who brought the case to the
Supreme Court, activists see this as a huge first step.
Armando Santacruz was one of the plaintiffs. A
prominent businessman here in Mexico, he has
spearheaded the campaign and told me he sees this as
opening the door to many more cases.
But Mexicans are divided when it comes to the
legalization of drugs. Mexico's President Enrique Pena
Nieto has been firmly against any change to drug policy
so the battle to legalise marijuana here has only just
begun.
It could set a legal precedent for future rulings
concerning the use and sales of marijuana.
People celebrated the ruling by smoking joints outside
of the Supreme Court building.
"If ... this supreme court is taking such an important
step toward legalization of drugs, or at least some of
them, I suggest that we are equally careful and
responsible in crafting a ruling of the same magnitude,"
said Judge Jose Ramon Cossio, who voted in favour of
the measure.
There are tens of thousands of drug-related killings in
the country every year.
The country has been pressured to loosen its drug laws
after the US made the drug legal in certain states.
In 2009, Mexico made it legal to carry up to 5 grams
(.18oz) of marijuana.
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