MEXICO SET TO LEGALIZE DRUGS FOR PERSONAL USE

Small Amounts Only; President Fox Expected to Sign Bill into Law

Mexico's Congress approved a bill yesterday decriminalizing possession
of small amounts of marijuana, ecstasy, cocaine and heroin for
personal use - a measure sure to raise questions in Washington about
Mexico's commitment to the war on drugs.

The only step remaining was the signature of the president, whose
office indicated he would sign it.

Mexican officials hope the law will help police focus on large-scale
trafficking operations, rather than minor drug busts. The bill also
stiffens penalties for trafficking and possession of drugs - even
small quantities - by government employees or near schools, and
maintains criminal penalties for drug sales.

The bill, passed by Mexico's Senate on a 53-26 vote with one
abstention, already had been approved in the lower house of Congress
and was sent to the desk of President Vicente Fox for his signature.

"This law gives police and prosecutors better legal tools to combat
drug crimes that do so much damage to our youth and children,"
presidential spokesperson Ruben Aguilar said.

The bill states criminal charges will no longer be brought for
possession of up to 25 milligrams of heroin, five grams of marijuana
(about one-fifth of an ounce, or about four joints), and one-half a
gram of cocaine - about one-half the standard street-size quantity,
which is enough for several lines of the drug.

"No charges will be brought against ... addicts or consumers who are
found in possession of any narcotic for personal use," said the Senate
bill, which also lays out allowable quantities for a large array of
other drugs, including LSD, MDA, ecstasy - about two pills' worth, -
and amphetamines.

Some of the amounts are eye-popping: Mexicans would be allowed to
possess one kilogram of peyote, the button-sized hallucinogenic cactus
used in some native religious ceremonies.

Mexican law currently leaves open the possibility of dropping charges
against people caught with drugs if they are considered addicts and if
"the amount is the quantity necessary for personal use."

But the exemption isn't automatic.

The new bill drops the "addict" requirement - automatically allowing
any "consumers" to have drugs - and sets out specific allowable quantities.

Sale of all drugs would remain illegal under the proposed law.