Following the SCJN ruling, Chiapas grants its first recreational marijuana permit, marking a milestone in cannabis rights and opening doors for dozens more applications for personal use.
A citizen of Chiapas has become the first in the state to secure official approval for recreational marijuana use after an 18-month legal battle, local activist Rodrigo Zepeda confirmed. The landmark permit follows a recent Supreme Court of Justice of the Nation (SCJN) decision that upheld individuals’ right to plant, cultivate, harvest, prepare, possess, transport, and consume cannabis for personal use.
Zepeda, a founding member of the Sativa High Club, explained that the case began more than a year and a half ago when the applicant filed an injunction challenging Cofepris’s refusal to grant a personal-use authorization. A federal judge ultimately ruled in favor of the petitioner, clearing the way for Cofepris to issue the permit.
“This ruling is a clear signal that the Supreme Court supports personal freedom in cannabis use,” Zepeda said. “We expect at least 25 more applications to reach Cofepris this month or next, and two of those are already pending review.”
Cofepris—the federal agency overseeing health and narcotics regulations—has notified applicants of the SCJN decision, and Zepeda anticipates a swift administrative process now that the legal obstacle has been removed. He noted that the Sativa High Club has assisted over 50 people in Chiapas with gathering documentation, filing injunctions, and navigating the Cofepris portal.
In recent weeks, activists nationwide have reported a surge in injunctions as citizens leverage the SCJN ruling to assert their rights. Chiapas now ranks among the most proactive states in securing personal-use permits, thanks in part to concerted outreach efforts by civil society groups.
Mexico’s highest court ruled last month that Cofepris cannot deny applications for recreational marijuana on arbitrary grounds. The decision clarified that Article 4 of the federal constitution guarantees personal autonomy and individual health choices—rights that extend to the responsible use of cannabis.
Prior to this development, marijuana legalization in Mexico had advanced unevenly. Although Congress approved a recreational-use law in mid-2021, full implementation stalled amid political debate and regulatory delays. Meanwhile, the SCJN has repeatedly affirmed individual petitions, setting legal precedents that Congress and Cofepris must respect.
Legal experts suggest that Chiapas’s successful case could serve as a template for applicants in other states. “This permit demonstrates that injunctions are an effective tool for citizens who want to exercise their constitutional rights,” said María López, a constitutional lawyer in Tuxtla Gutiérrez. “Now that the Supreme Court has spoken, Cofepris has little choice but to comply.”
As Chiapas celebrates its first recreational marijuana permit, activists are mobilizing to ensure broader access. Zepeda’s group plans informational workshops in communities across the state, aiming to demystify the application process and promote safe, informed use. If the projected 25 new applications materialize, Chiapas could soon tally more recreational permits than any other region in southern Mexico.
