Voting 82 to 18, Mexico's upper house of parliament, the Senate, has passed a new bill to legalize recreational cannabis nationwide and allow for the use of cannabis for medical, scientific, and industrial purposes. Members of the Senate backing the bill claim that the objective was to reduce "organized crime" by shrinking the illegal drug market while opposition to the bill claim that the legalization of recreational cannabis may make it easier for children to access and lead to unforeseen health consequences. The bill must be approved by the lower house by mid-December to become law, and if passed, Mexico will become the nation after Uruguay and Canada to legalize recreational cannabis nationally.

Under the proposed laws, adult users will be able to carry up to 28 grams and grow up to 4 plants at home. Carrying over the maximum amount may still result in fines or criminal prosecution. Businesses would also be allowed to sell cannabis to adults. Children will still be banned from buying, using, or selling cannabis.

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