By Julie Etra—
The history of marijuana—known in Mexico as marihuana or colloquially as mota—its cultivation, regulation, and use as a drug, became indelibly tied to its neighbor to the north, the United States of America.
Origins in New Spain
Cannabis seeds were first introduced to Chile, Peru, and Mexico in the 16th century by the Spanish, most notably Hernán Cortés, who promoted its cultivation for fiber production. What we now call hemp was then known as cáñamo. Its use was already widespread in Spain, a legacy of Moorish agricultural practices dating back to the early medieval period.
Although hemp and marijuana share the scientific name Cannabis sativa, hemp contains very low levels of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)—typically less than 1%—and therefore has no intoxicating effects. Marijuana, by contrast, has been selectively bred for decades to enhance psychoactive properties.
Cáñamo has long had multiple commercial uses, including textiles, rope, and soap. It is easily distinguished from marijuana plants: hemp grows taller, often reaching up to five meters, and expends its nutrients on vegetative growth rather than seed production. In marijuana cultivation, male plants are removed to prevent pollination of the females, which increases the potency of the flowering tops.
Early Uses in Mexico
In Mexico, cannabis use evolved from medicinal and religious applications into recreational use. At the time of the Spanish conquest, Indigenous peoples were already familiar with a variety of psychoactive plants, including psilocybin mushrooms, peyote (a mescaline-containing cactus), tolóache (Datura species), and picietl, a form of wild tobacco.
By the 16th century, cannabis preparations were reportedly used to treat gonorrhea, regulate menstrual cycles, and relieve muscle and dental pain.
One of the earliest prohibitions came on July 4, 1882, when President Porfirio Díaz issued a decree banning the sale of the plant known as “Rosa María,” identified as marijuana.
Marijuana as a Drug
By the early 20th century, marijuana use had become common in Mexico, including among revolutionary troops. Its presence in popular culture is reflected in the Mexican version of the folk song La Cucaracha, popularized during the Revolution (1910–1920). The well-known chorus humorously refers to a cockroach unable to walk because it lacks marijuana to smoke.
Regulation and U.S. Influence
Marijuana was first officially prohibited nationwide in Mexico in 1920 under President Venustiano Carranza through regulations targeting substances considered harmful to the population. At the time, opium—introduced largely by Chinese immigrants—was viewed as the more pressing concern.
Cannabis consumption migrated northward as Mexican laborers crossed into the United States in the early 20th century. Combined with alcohol Prohibition (1920–1933) and the economic hardships of the Great Depression, this contributed to a thriving illicit border economy and rising anti-Mexican sentiment.
In the United States, sensationalist propaganda portrayed marijuana as a dangerous drug associated with crime, violence, and moral decay. The so-called “Reefer Madness” era stigmatized both the plant and Mexican immigrants, helping to justify strict criminalization.
Restrictions on cannabis began appearing in some U.S. states as early as the late 19th century. A major nationwide campaign was launched in the 1930s by Harry J. Anslinger, the first commissioner of the Federal Bureau of Narcotics, whose efforts culminated in federal prohibition. The Spanish term “marihuana” itself was deliberately emphasized to reinforce its association with Mexico.
The Counterculture Era and Rising Demand
Demand increased dramatically in the 1960s and 1970s, fueled by the counterculture movement. Marijuana became associated with antiwar protests, civil rights activism, sexual liberation, and a rapidly changing music scene. Much of the cannabis consumed in the United States originated in Mexico, particularly from the states of Chiapas, Guerrero, Nayarit, Michoacán, Oaxaca, and Sinaloa.
Tensions between the two countries escalated. In 1969, President Richard Nixon launched Operation Intercept, imposing intensive inspections on vehicles crossing the border from Mexico. In 1971, he formally declared the “War on Drugs.”
Aerial herbicide spraying campaigns in the late 1970s aimed to eradicate marijuana crops. Instead, production shifted toward larger, more organized operations increasingly controlled by criminal groups.
Rise of Cartels
The 1980s saw the emergence of powerful drug cartels, notably the Guadalajara cartel led by Miguel Ángel Félix Gallardo. The organization expanded into cocaine trafficking from Colombia. The 1985 kidnapping and murder of U.S. DEA agent Enrique “Kiki” Camarena triggered a major crackdown but also ushered in decades of violence as competing groups fought for control of territory and trafficking routes.
Gradual Decriminalization
Beginning in the early 2000s, Mexico embarked on a slow path toward decriminalization. President Vicente Fox initially supported strict enforcement but later advocated reform as a strategy to weaken organized crime. In 2009, possession of small quantities for personal use was decriminalized.
Medical cannabis was legalized nationwide in 2017, influenced in part by the case of an eight-year-old girl, Graciela Elizalde, whose severe epilepsy responded to cannabis-derived treatment.
In 2021, Mexico’s Supreme Court declared the prohibition of recreational cannabis unconstitutional, effectively legalizing personal use. However, a comprehensive regulatory framework for commercial production and sales has yet to be fully implemented.
Current Policies in Mexico
Adults over 18 may possess up to 28 grams of cannabis in public for personal use. Smoking in public spaces remains restricted, and legal commercial sales—such as dispensaries common in parts of the United States—have not yet been fully established nationwide.
Edibles and cannabis products may circulate informally in some tourist areas, but their legal status remains uncertain. Commercial sale to tourists is illegal.
As of January 2026, Mexico has also banned the importation, sale, and marketing of vaping devices and e-cigarettes, though enforcement varies widely.
Travelers should carry prescription medications in original labeled containers. Some medications that require prescriptions in the United States are available over the counter in Mexico, including high-dose ibuprofen and certain antibiotics.
Cannabis Laws in Mexico:
What Visitors Should Know (2026)
Mexico has decriminalized personal cannabis use, but the legal framework remains complex and enforcement can vary. Visitors should exercise caution and discretion.
✔ Possession (Personal Use)
Adults 18 and over may possess up to 28 grams (about one ounce) of cannabis for personal use. Possession above this amount can result in fines or criminal charges.
✔ Private Use
Consumption is generally permitted in private residences. Property owners, hotels, and rental hosts may prohibit smoking on their premises.
✖ Public Consumption
Smoking cannabis in public places is illegal, including streets, beaches, parks, restaurants, and hotel common areas. Enforcement varies by location, but fines or detention are possible.
✖ Commercial Sales
Legal retail dispensaries like those in parts of the United States or Canada do not yet operate nationwide. Buying cannabis remains legally ambiguous and may expose buyers to illegal markets.
✖ Sales to Tourists
Selling cannabis to tourists is illegal.
✔ Medical Use
Medical cannabis is legal with proper authorization, though access remains limited.
✖ Importing Cannabis
Bringing cannabis into Mexico — even small amounts — is illegal, regardless of whether it was legally purchased elsewhere.
✖ Vapes and e-Cigarettes
As of January 2026, the importation, sale, and marketing of vaping devices and e-cigarettes are prohibited in Mexico.
✔ Prescription Medications
Travelers should carry medications in original labeled containers. Some drugs that require prescriptions in other countries may be available over the counter in Mexico, but regulations differ.