In a last-minute about-face

, the Mexican president will not OK a bill that would have greatly loosened penalties on possession of personal amounts of drugs. It’s apparently the result of U.S. pressure.

AP:

Mexican President Vicente Fox backed off signing a drug decriminalization bill that the United States warned could result in “drug tourism” and increased availability of narcotics in American border communities.

Fox reversed course Wednesday and said he was sending the bill back to Congress for changes, just one day after his office had said he would sign it into law. The measure would have dropped criminal penalties for possession of small amounts of marijuana, cocaine, heroin and other drugs.

Fox’s statement said he will ask for corrections “to make it absolutely clear in our country, the possession of drugs and their consumption are, and will continue to be, a criminal offense.”

San Diego Mayor Jerry Sanders applauded Fox’s decision. On Friday, Sanders said he was “appalled” by the bill, saying it could increase drug availability north of the border.

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#cocaine#drugs#ecstasy#fox#marijuana#mexico