Legal marijuana is a real problem for Mexican drug cartels

It's impossible to say exactly how much drugs the cartels are smuggling into the U.S., but drug seizures are a good proxy.

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The parallels are clear: more legalization in the U.S. equals less pot getting smuggled into the U.S.
Now cynics will say that the cartels will simply shift to other drugs, but that would be fake news.

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That's a whole lot of money that the cartels are no longer collecting.
But it doesn't end there.

Mexico’s President-elect Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador said on Sunday that he would consider legalizing certain drugs as part of a broader strategy to fight poverty and crime.
Speaking in the state of Zacatecas, Lopez Obrador said that a recent proposal from the country’s defense minister, who backed legalization of opium for medicinal use, was important and that he would not rule out anything.

Even opium! That would be a very bold step.
It's similar to what Bolivia did more than a decade ago when they legalized coca production.

According to the agency's annual survey of Bolivia's coca sector, published in July, the country's area of production dropped slightly in 2015 to 20,200 hectares. That's the lowest level since the agency began monitoring Bolivia's coca harvest in 2003 and roughly a third down from the total during the DEA's last year in Bolivia.

As for Mexico, it decriminalized possession of marijuana in 2009. It also legalized medical marijuana, but created no legal structure for it to operate.

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I've seen lots of changes. What doesn't change is people. Same old hairless apes.

studentofearth's picture

@The Voice In the Wilderness substances found in the sap of the poppy. The amount of morphine and other active ingredients in an opium extract will vary due to growing conditions. Similar to varying concentrations of THC in marijuana plants.

Morphine crystals extracted and purified from opium sap can be made into oral and injectable types of medications. Exact doses given to a patient provide a more consistent therapeutic activity and side effects than a dilution of plant extract.

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Still yourself, deep water can absorb many disturbances with minimal reaction.
--When the opening appears release yourself.

Pricknick's picture

it hasn't been a problem for me since.....forever.
Grow your own and make legalization instead of incarceration the new norm.
I've been very busy educating folks about the legalize ballot happening next month. The way it's written makes it much easier as people like how the money generated will be used.

Permit retail sales of marijuana and edibles subject to a 10% tax, dedicated to implementation costs, clinical trials, schools, roads, and municipalities where marijuana businesses are located.

Those jurisdictions that block retail sales or growing permits will get nothing.

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Regardless of the path in life I chose, I realize it's always forward, never straight.

Should have been legal 50 years ago. The cost of keeping it illegal is staggering.

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"Religion is what keeps the poor from murdering the rich."--Napoleon

@dkmich my sister and I thought what the hell, lets see what they've got. We waited in line for 3 1/2 hours, my one foot was never quite the same after that day, but we had a great time in line! Lots of fun people of all ages and types. Quantity was restricted to very small amounts, but we did manage to get some before they ran out.

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Only a fool lets someone else tell him who his enemy is. Assata Shakur

snoopydawg's picture

Legalize it for everyone and let them grow their own at home in a limited amount. For medical marijuana Utah's wants to make it so that a pharmacist has to dispense it at state medical offices. However the attorney general is saying that it's still illegal at the federal level and that would keep it from being dispensed. This is a perfect catch 22. That is what's going to happen unless it's voted to be legal. And if the governor overturns the vote. Of course the church that used to be called Mormon is dead set against it.

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Which AIPAC/MIC/pharma/bank bought politician are you going to vote for? Don’t be surprised when nothing changes.

Pricknick's picture

@snoopydawg
Well at least to me it is.
Had a naturalization appointment at the capital. As everything governmental requires more time than necessary, my four hour parking permit expired and I received a ticket. Mind you, this was the official parking place for my appointment.
I sent a very cordial reply letter stating that I was on government business and I should not be penalized for the slow pace of bureaucracy. I received a reply saying failure to pay would result in a warrant. I had already planned on leaving the state the next day so said "fukem". I've never been back and have no plans to do so.

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Regardless of the path in life I chose, I realize it's always forward, never straight.

WindDancer13's picture

1) Is the border patrol too busy catching children to bother with going after smuggled drugs?

2) Trump: There are 4000 people heading to the border carrying illegal drugs!! We will send the army to meet them at the border! Murderers and thieves! All of them, even the children! No more money to their corrupt governments for letting this happen! If they were like my good friends the Saudis and bought lots and lots of weapons (instead of us sending them for free) then it would be a boon to the US economy and great!

(How many words are allowed in a tweet? He may have gone over.)

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We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.--Aristotle
If there is no struggle there is no progress.--Frederick Douglass

Pricknick's picture

@WindDancer13
You just gave out fake news that the msm and dipshits will link.
Never forget your snark tag. Many will take it as the truth otherwise.
Peace.

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Regardless of the path in life I chose, I realize it's always forward, never straight.

WindDancer13's picture

@Pricknick @Pricknick

Guess it is a good thing that I didn't take the time to make a tweet graphic for the "message" then. Although, it did cross my mind.

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We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.--Aristotle
If there is no struggle there is no progress.--Frederick Douglass

Pricknick's picture

@WindDancer13
/s

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Regardless of the path in life I chose, I realize it's always forward, never straight.

WindDancer13's picture

@Pricknick

Angel? Have to go laugh myself silly now.

via GIPHY

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We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.--Aristotle
If there is no struggle there is no progress.--Frederick Douglass