MEXICO.-A survey published by the newspaper El Universal, said that 85% of Mexicans are in favor of the elected president of Mexico, Enrique Peña Nieto, to continue with the fight against drug trafficking regardless of whether it can be won or not.

The survey also reveals that 64% of those who responded agreed that in Mexico it should be debated about the possibility of legalizing marijuana.

62% of the respondents were very critical about the U.S. stance against drug use and the sale of weapons to criminal groups operating in Mexico, compared to 30% who think otherwise and 8% who declined or had no answer.

According to the study, 62% believe that the decriminalization of marijuana in some U.S. states both recreational and for medical use "harms Mexico", compared to 20% who think that it is beneficial to this country.

The survey was conducted after two U.S. states (Washington and Colorado) approved last November 6th the legalization of marijuana for recreational purposes, which this survey also analyzes the possibility of the legalization of this drug in this country.

These percentages changed slightly in the case of a proposal to legalize the consumption regardless of the situation in the U.S., with 39% who said to be in favor and 57% who were against it.

Those who agree with a possible legalization of marijuana in Mexico think it will only decrease drug trafficking by 33%, reduce violence by only 15%, and will only control consumption by 13%.

On the other hand there are those who reject the legalization, which 40% believed it would increase drug use, 13% claimed that marijuana use is harmful to everyone's health, and 10% say that more consumption would only "increase violence ".

Given the hypothesis of whether legalizing marijuana might help solve the problem of drug trafficking in Mexico, 50% believe it won't and 47% think it will.

In regards to public opinion of whether the federal government is "winning" the war on drugs in Mexico, it actually increased in recent years going from 23% in May of 2008 to 34% this month.

Those who think that the criminals are actually the ones with an advantage of the "war" on drugs, the survey shows that it went from 56% in May of 2008 down to 51% this month.

The survey was conducted on November 10th and 11th by telephone among 800 citizens, and has a "confidence level" of 95% and a margin of error of plus or minus 3.5 percent.

Editorial@sandiegored.com

Translation: omar.martinez@sandiegored.com