Big news for anyone who cares about liberty, “Mexico Set to Decriminalize Some Drug Use“:

Mexico’s Congress approved a bill Friday decriminalizing possession of small quantities of drugs for personal use — including cocaine and even heroin — raising potential questions about joint U.S.-Mexican anti-narcotics operations….

“No charges will be brought against … addicts or consumers who are found in possession of any narcotic for personal use,” according to the Senate bill, which also lays out allowable quantities for an array of other drugs, including LSD, ecstasy and amphetamines.

The law is both less and more permissive than European drug laws. Dutch-style shops selling marijuana may not be tolerated, but the list of decriminalized drugs in Mexico is much longer than almost anywhere else. It is a step in the right direction.

Perhaps the most intriguing aspect of all this is that the bill was pushed by Mexico’s conservative leadership:

“We can’t close our eyes to this reality,” said Sen. Jorge Zermeno, of Fox’s conservative National Action Party. “We cannot continue to fill our jails with people who have addictions.“

Basically, it would be like the Republicans suddenly deciding to decriminalize drugs in America. It may sound shocking, but I think this is a preview of things to come in North America. The illusion of victory in the Drug War becomes more unbelievable each and every day. The cost (in terms of money and liberty) is very high, while the gains (ending drug use) are nonexistent. In addition, the entire thing is an affront to the small government philosophy that conservatives supposedly believe in. Mark my words, it’s only a matter of time before the mainstream Right reverses course.

Until then, drug reform advocates and opponents will be watching our neighbor to the south very closely. The United States is now bordered by two countries with saner drug policies. If we cannot change our policies because of principle, then we may have to because of shame.