Mexico debates change to drug policy

(Vatican Radio)  Mexico's president is launching a national debate about whether or not to legalize marijuana, in the run up to next April's UN General Assembly Special Session focusing on drug policy. 

Listen to James Blears' report:

Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto has ordered the Ministry of the Interior to establish a working group, including doctors, academics, sociologists and activists to look into the field of marijuna legalization or continued overall prohibition, so a clear policy can be formulated.

Last month, Mexico's Supreme Court voted 4-1 to allow a pro-marijuana group to grow and consume it, but not to deal or sell the drug.

President Enrique Peña Nieto says he's personally opposed to legalization of marijuana, saying he believes it could pave the way to even more serious narcotics abuse. But he's willing to listen to both sides of the arguement.

Drug cartels have killed more than 150,000 people during Mexico's eight years ongoing drug war, while 26,000 others have permanently gone missing.

Organized crime likely would not take kindly to legalization, as it could radically undercut their vast and profitable illicit empires.

A poll in October showed that 77 percent of Mexicans oppose marijuana legalization.