Amid marijuana debate, group continues drug operation

Members of a small club growing and caring for cannabis plants in central Mexico continue their operation while they await a legalisation bill to be passed by the Senate later this year. The patio of the club house in Queretaro is home to 200 marijuana plants that are cared for by a group of young people.

The marijuana legalisation bill for the recreational use of marijuana is setting Mexico on the path to becoming one of the world's largest legal marijuana markets. It would permit recreational use of marijuana, but establish a system of licenses required for the entire chain of production, distribution, transformation and sales.

It would also require that individuals, and not just associations of users, have a permit to grow plants for personal use. Each individual would be allowed to have six plants with a maximum of eight per household, and that cannabis groups not exceed 20 members, nor have more than 50 plans.

The Mexican Senate postponed the bill until September. Given the current laws, cannabis users still need to resort to obtaining it illegally. Gerardo, the president of the Aramat cannabis club, said it provides members with both medicinal and recreational products, and have customers of all ages.

67-year-old Alicia Gutierrez grew up hearing about the stigma attached to marijuana, and was hesitant to consume cannabis resin to see if it would help with her insomnia and anxiety. A year later, she says she is using it every other day. Gerardo hopes that the club might work as a positive example and help set precedents if the legalisation bill is passed into law.