Mexico Senate Approves Legalizing Marijuana After Debate

Mexico’s Senate approved a bill to decriminalize the use of marijuana in a country beset by decades of corruption and violence tied to the illegal drug trade.

The Senate approved the legislation that would regulate the use of marijuana by 72 votes to 13, with two abstentions, the chamber said. The bill now goes on to the Lower House.

The Senate seeks to diminish the illegal market for marijuana, thereby cutting down on organized crime, corruption and violence, it said in a Nov. 19 statement after approving the bill in a general debate.

As a public health matter, the Senate ...