TikTok Suspended A Mexican Politician For Celebrating The Pass Of A Marijuana Bill By Toking
TikTok but don’t toke.
Nayeli Salvatori, a Mexican congresswoman who is a representative for the 10th district of the state of Puebla, recently got into hot water with TikTok after she posted a video of herself smoking marijuana. The politician, who is also a member of the Social Encounter Party, uploaded her video with the song “Light my Fire” by The Doors and added text to her video which read, “ya es legal” (it is legal) and “Felicidades” (congratulations). She uploaded the video to celebrate Mexico’s Senate vote to decriminalize marijuana.
TikTok disabled Salvatori’s account citing a violation of its guidelines.
The TikTok’s community guideline that was violated was one that prohibits users from sharing ‘content that displays drugs, drug consumption, or encourages others to make, use, or trade drugs or other controlled substances.’
After her account was suspended for violating TikTok’s community guidelines, Salvatori went to Twitter to upload the video from TikTok. The video remains there and is now being used to discuss the controversy.
“It’s been more than a year that the theme of legalization of cannabis has been in talks in Congress, of course, it is a celebration!!! It’s obvious that it will be approved!!! Relax, smoke didn’t come out of the pipe because it didn’t have anything, but I love when my tweets are under fire!” read the tweet which was posted in Spanish.
Salvatori has since shared her new TikTok account with users online, while she waits to be given access to her old one.
The bill is not officially law yet, as it originated in the Senate and must go to vote to the House of Representatives. If approved with changes it will go back to the Senate and become official if voted in favor of.
The bill was opposed by some senators who were worried about children and teenage consumption, but the bill does include that individuals must be over 18 to consume marijuana.
The measure would allow an individual of legal age to possess up to 28 grams of cannabis and grow up to six plants at home. If there are two people who consume marijuana in the same residence, then they will be allowed to grow up to 8 plants in their home.
With this new law, drug cartels behind much of the violence in Mexico could be stripped of their control over the marijuana market.
The lower house is expected to vote on the measure before December 15.
