Legal Marijuana in U.S. is taking a toll on Mexican Drug Cartels

Supply has reduced cost of "weed" and poppy production has surged

UNITED STATES.- One of the main arguments in favor of marijuana legalization is that it would lead to a noticeable decrease in income to Mexican drug cartels, and would serve as a way to steal economic power from them. Recent reports and observations indicate that this has proved true for marijuana cultivation in Mexico.

The Washington Post reports that, during the few months that have transpired since legalization of weed in Colorado, and medical Marijuana in 32 other states, the price per kilogram of Mexican weed has fallen seventy-five percent, from $100.00 to $25.00.

"It isn't worth it any more," according to Rodrigo Silla, a long-time weed grower in a recent interview with the newspaper. "I wish those Americans would roll-back legalization."

The authors also interviewed agents of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) who affirmed that they have seen a considerable reduction in marijuana cultivation in Mexico and that this has affected various cartels' operations.

In order to compensate for the reduction in income as a result of the devaluation of marijuana, poppies are being cultivated for the production of heroin, the consumption of which has skyrocketed in the US and the rest of the world, fueling a very lucrative black market. Although producing heroin is not easy work when compared to marijuana for cartels, the strong demand from the North makes heroin very lucrative.

Mexico is now the second largest heroin producer in the world, after Afghanistan and knocking Columbia out of the category as primary Latin American producer and primary source for the drug to the US.

This, and other details related to marijuana legalization, can be found in the Washington Post article.

Jose.Sanchez@sandiegored.com

borderzonie@gmail.com

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