JOHNSTOWN, NY - AUGUST 19: Cannabis plants grow in the greenhouse at Vireo Health’s medical marijuana cultivation facility, August 19, 2016 in Johnstown, New York. New York state lawmakers voted to legalize marijuana for medical use in 2014 and the law took effect in January 2016. Currently, five organizations are allowed to grow and sell the drug for medical use in the state. New York’s new law only allows people with ‘severe debilitating or life threatening conditions’ to obtain marijuana for medical use. (Photo by Drew Angerer/Getty Images)

After massive support from both Mexico’s Senate and Lower House, President Enrique Pena Nieto made an official decree legalizing medical marijuana.

The decree states that the Ministry of Health will create policies on regulations, research and production of medical marijuana. Mexican Secretary of Health Dr. Jose Narro Robles stated “ I welcome the approval of the therapeutic use of cannabis in Mexico.”

Latin America has been moving towards decriminalization as a tactic to combat the drug trade, demonstrating once again the devastating effect of prohibition of controlled substances. Portugal has already demonstrated the benefits of having a policy geared towards medical treatment and deregulation.

Hopefully, these country’s efforts will inspire the United States to adopt similar legislation and end the foolish War on Drugs.