MEXICO CITY.- The Lower House has approved the use of marijuana for medical purposes, in a historic vote that would also allow the regulated study of the cannabis sativa plant.

With 301 votes in favor and 88 against, the Representatives approved the initiative of President Enrique Peña Nieto, which was sent to Congress on April 21, 2016, but without the provision to legalize the marijuana for recreational uses with which he came.

Members of the National Action Party (PAN) managed to clear nine articles of the initiative, to ensure its approval. However, the new article 198 of the Federal Criminal Code now says:

"The planting, cultivation or harvesting of marijuana plants shall not be punishable when these activities are carried out for medical and scientific purposes in the terms and conditions of the authorization issued for that purpose by the Federal Executive."

It gives new power to the Ministry of Health to "design and implement public policies that regulate the medicinal use of pharmacological derivatives of cannabis sativa, or American marijuana, including tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) with its isomers and stereochemical variants, as well as the regulation of the research and national production of it, " this according to El Financiero.

Does it mean that you can already cross medical marijuana from [b]San Diego to Tijuana?[/b]

Not necessarily, because information about when this law goes into effect or whether it is permitted to import medical marijuana from other countries, such as the United States, is missing. But it does make clear that this change "eliminates the prohibition and criminalization of acts related to the medicinal use of marijuana and its scientific research, and those that concern the production and distribution of the plant for these purposes."

It is still illegal to cultivate, negotiate or distribute marijuana for recreational use, but it should be remembered that if a citizen has less than 5g in his or her position, there is no penalty or cause for arrest. Now less if it is for medicinal use; any amount.

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Translated by: cristina.mora@sandiegored.com