In the ever-shifting landscape of Puerto Rican politics, few issues have sparked as intense a debate as that surrounding cannabis. The recent vote in the House of Representatives on House Bill 209, aimed at preventing first-time minor marijuana possession convictions from appearing on criminal records, mirrors this intricate political and social tapestry. The bill, proposed by José "Quiquito" Meléndez Ortiz of the New Progressive Party, failed to garner the necessary votes for passage, highlighting deep divisions on the issue.
Bill 209 faced a wall of opposition, with 23 votes in favor and 19 against, falling short of the required 26. Opponents like Edgardo Feliciano and Roberto Rivera Ruiz de Porras vehemently argued for the need to maintain a clear stance against the illegal purchase and possession of marijuana, even in minimal quantities. This perspective …