Ananya Mishra

Mexico City's Marijuana “Tolerance Zone”

Marijuana activist group, Laboratorio 4:20 (Laboratory 4:20), has an arrangement with the Mexico City government which allows them to utilize the Plaza de la información park as a “tolerance zone” for public cannabis consumption. Next to the Hidalgo metro station, the small park has become a safe haven that’s free from police intervention. The area attracts a diverse group of people and empowers many disadvantaged citizens to finally have a voice.

I attended Laboratorio 4:20's open-mic hip hop event on August 28th, 2021. The community was incredibly welcoming towards me and granted me permission to take these photos. Many of the people I met resided in the Tepito neighborhood, which has a reputation for being one of the most dangerous areas in Mexico City.