Chancellor of the BUAP supports Peña Nieto’s legalisation of marijuana

Foto: Melanie Isahmar Torres

By: Helena Prentis

The Chancellor of the Benemérita Universidad Autónoma de Puebla, Alfonso Esparzo Ortiz, has stated that he supports the proposition of Enrique Peña Nieto to allow the medical and scientific use of marijuana.

The Chancellor was of the opinion that the drug has shown great results in alleviating pain for illnesses, and that he is eager to support various experiments at the university to prove this.

He was careful to add that, if legalised, usage would have to be strictly regulated and that there must be a study to see how the legalisation has affected other countries such as the US.

This legalisation of marijuana for medical and scientific purposes is now becoming a more widespread phenomenon, not only to aid those who are in pain, but some authorities believe that it can aid to reduce the consumption of the drug- which is a large problem in Mexico- due to a sort of reverse psychology effect. Whilst few studies from countries such as the US have proved this hypothesis, many have shown that marijuana consumption has not risen, something which strict regulation can aid.