Under the bill, it would be legal to have 25 milligrams of heroin, a fifth of an ounce of marijuana or half a gram of cocaine. The bill also makes it legal to possess small amounts of LSD, hallucinogenic mushrooms, amphetamines and peyote.

The US response was predictable:  A United States Embassy official in Mexico deplored the new measure. "We have not seen the text, so we cannot comment on it in detail," said the official, who was not authorized to speak publicly. "But any law that would decriminalize dangerous drugs would not be helpful."

However, I think the measure is a very creative way to solve a growing problem.  The focus of the law is on addiction and treatment, not Prohibition.  In an America where over half the inmates in federal prison are there for drug offenses, maybe we should consider our current policy of no tolerance and prohibition an unmitigated disaster.

Sadly, though, I don't think the US as a nation is ready for such a measure.  As a result, we need to look to Mexico to lead the way.  And I strongly believe their law is the direction the future will take us.

The link: http://www.nytimes.com/2006/04/29/world/americas/29mexico.html?ex=1146974400&en=dab0c8d709b70e10&ei=5065&partner=MYWAY