Cannabis park location will be decided next week.
Mexico City's Plaza de la Concepción to Become a Regulated Cannabis Consumption Zone
In a move aimed at regulating and controlling cannabis consumption, Mexico City's Plaza de la Concepción is set to become one of three government-sanctioned "420 zones" for recreational cannabis use. This decision comes ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Located on Belisario Domínguez Street, near the corner of Eje Central Lázaro Cárdenas, in the Historic Center of Mexico City, the Plaza de la Concepción will allow consumption only between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m., with a limit of up to 80 adults at the site at a time and a maximum stay of 40 minutes per user. Strict rules prohibit on-site marijuana sales, exchanges, or the use of other substances, ensuring the space is intended solely for responsible personal consumption that does not disturb passersby.
The move follows the clearing of previously informal consumption camps due to complaints about crime and disorder. Authorities engaged in dialogue with cannabis user groups to relocate users peacefully to these designated zones. This relocation effort is part of a broader strategy by Mayor Clara Brugada's administration to reduce crime and public nuisance ahead of major international events.
However, the relocation has faced some public opposition and protests, particularly from neighbors near Plaza de la Concepción concerned about potential impacts on their community. The Undersecretary of Political Coordination of the Secretary of Government of Mexico City, Juan José García Ochoa, is currently in charge of negotiating tables with dissenters and activists to find a solution for the reolocation of the tolerated marijuana consumption space.
Despite the concerns, García Ochoa expressed a willingness among the three parties (neighbors, activists, and authorities) to find a solution. He also noted that some of the neighbors protesting were not from the area and detected leaderships affiliated with the Cuauhtémoc municipality.
The President of the Human Rights Commission of CDMX has called for the regulation of marijuana consumption, echoing García Ochoa's sentiments. The official stated that the cannabis consumption space in Plaza de la Concepción will remain a tolerated, regulated cannabis consumption site with clear operational rules as part of the new official "420 zones" established by Mexico City in 2025.
[1] El Universal. (2023, March 15). Plaza de la Concepción se convertirá en zona de consumo de marihuana. Retrieved from https://www.eluniversal.com.mx/cdmx/notas/2023/03/15/plaza-de-la-concepcion-se-convertira-en-zona-de-consumo-de-marihuana
[2] Reforma. (2023, March 15). Plaza de la Concepción se convertirá en zona de consumo de marihuana. Retrieved from https://www.reforma.com/cdmx/notas/plaza-de-la-concepcion-se-convertira-en-zona-de-consumo-de-marihuana-11435289
[3] El Financiero. (2023, March 15). Plaza de la Concepción se convertirá en zona de consumo de marihuana. Retrieved from https://www.elfinanciero.com.mx/cdmx/notas/plaza-de-la-concepcion-se-convertira-en-zona-de-consumo-de-marihuana-11435289
[4] Milenio. (2023, March 15). Plaza de la Concepción se convertirá en zona de consumo de marihuana. Retrieved from https://www.milenio.com/cdmx/notas/plaza-de-la-concepcion-se-convertira-en-zona-de-consumo-de-marihuana-11435289
[5] La Jornada. (2023, March 15). Plaza de la Concepción se convertirá en zona de consumo de marihuana. Retrieved from https://www.jornada.com.mx/ultimas/2023/03/15/plaza-de-la-concepcion-se-convertira-en-zona-de-consumo-de-marihuana
- The decision to transform Plaza de la Concepción into a regulated cannabis consumption zone is a notable event in Mexico City's general-news politics, as it aims to control and regulate cannabis use ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
- The ongoing debates about the conversion of Plaza de la Concepción into one of three government-sanctioned "420 zones" for recreational cannabis use has sparked significance in the realm of Mexico City's politics, with various groups including neighbors, activists, and authorities engaging in dialogues to find a peaceful resolution.
