Mexico Legalizes Recreational Use of Marijuana Published March 11th, 2021 - 08:30 GMT The Mexican Chamber of Deputies approved the bill with 316 votes in favor, 129 against and 23 abstentions. (Shutterstock) Mexican lawmakers voted Wednesday to legalize marijuana for recreational use, although some rejected the bill over health concerns. The Mexican Chamber of Deputies approved the bill with 316 votes in favor, 129 against and 23 abstentions. The approval continues efforts by lawmakers to decriminalize marijuana with Senators passing a previous version of the bill in November. In January, health authorities in the country published rules to secure medical use and pharmaceutical production of marijuana derivatives. In the latest move, legislators voted to issue the Federal Law for the Regulation of Cannabis, also enacting changes to the General Health Law and the Federal Penal Code.