Last week, Mexico’s President Felipe Calderon signed a bill into law which legalizes possession of relatively small amounts of marijuana, cocaine, LSD, heroin, and methamphetamine. The new law allows individuals to have in their possession five grams of marijuana (about four or five joints), half a gram of cocaine, 50 milligrams of heroin, 0.015 milligrams of LSD, and 40 milligrams for methamphetamine. The bill was passed by the Mexican Congress last May, with the public promise that it will help end corruption among Mexican police officers who often extort people caught with drugs. However, this new law will undoubtedly bring hundreds of thousands of drug-seeking American tourists to Mexico, where they can now stay stoned for an entire week without fear of arrest. Delivering new customers to the drug cartels. While the measure was supposedly taken to battle corruption through the ranks of that nation’s troubled police departments, it is the corruption throughout Mexico’s political ranks which promise even more disastrous consequences. In May 2009, Mexican authorities arrested 10 mayors and 20 local officials after they were implicated through an investigation into the powerful organized crime ring known as La Familia Michoacana. If La Familia cannot buy-off a politician (Often because they have already accepted bribes from a rival organization.), they simply kill him. In April 2009, congressional candidate Gustavo Bucio Rodriguez was shot to death at the gas station he owned. Only days earlier, the body of Lazaro Cardenas Mayor Nicolas Leon was discovered. Leon had been tortured and shot to death, the initials “FM” (Familia Michoacana) left on his body. German Tena, president of the Michoacan chapter of Mexico’s National Action Party, recently spoke to the LA Times about the deadly tactics being used by La Familia. Tena said: "It is a way to win power with fear, where the authorities either don't have the capability to fight it, or have the capability but not the inclination.” The head of the Democratic Revolution Party in Michoacan, Fabiola Alanis bluntly added: "If we know or hear that a candidate is mixed up with narcos, we are not going to denounce it. It is not my job. It would put my candidates in danger. There is nothing to guarantee that they would wake up alive." A high-ranking Michoacan official, speaking on the condition of anonymity, also told the LA Times: "There are mayors and politicians who 'let things happen,' and there are some who have sold their soul to the devil.” This new law will basically turn Mexico into the largest drug den on the planet, and pump more cash into the drug cartels. It is obvious that the drug cartels are now in complete control of Mexico. ?
Comments
I don't see it that way at all, I see it as Mexico doing what it has to do because of the US Drug Policy. We created the "War on Drugs" which turns out, was the biggest mistake of our country's history and an out right blow to the freedoms of the American People and expect them to do nothing as their country is over run by drug dealing cartels who make billions off of the "War on Drugs"
Marijuana needs to be completely legalized in the United States for adults like alcohol and the Cartels will suffer a hug blow and be put out of business.
Wrong way to look at it. Mexico, before what you claim is "legalization" of drugs had a terrible bloody drug war with cartels.
You (the author) forget to see that this isn't a law that legalizes drugs. It is a decriminalization measure to remove personal use amounts from punishment. It is still ILLEGAL to grow marijuana for personal use, still ILLEGAL to make meth, still ILLEGAL to make heroin, still ILLEGAL to sell any of those drugs.
Don't be the NYTimes and claim Mexico is legalizing drugs. It is far from legalization. Legalization of marijuana in the U.S. is the only way to disrupt the Mexican cartels. The major use of drugs in not Mexico, but here in the states!
BTW Argentina just decriminalized marijuana for personal use (I think similar effect of Mexico).
Only the very stupidest of parents would possibly allow their children to vacation in Mexico. The border should have been closed years ago, until that nation straightens up. I just love the way the U.S. chastises all kinds of nations in the world and boycotts them etc. but when it comes to Mexico, too many politicians here are outright cowards or bribed.
That is not fare at all, the base of the problem is in the US, you demand the drugs, don’t you see TV, and haven’t you seen celebrity rehab??? You see how famous people talk how easy they go in the USA to by their 8balls of cocaine etc???? So don’t pick on Mexico, your drug addicts are the base of the problem, Mexico is paying with thousand of life’s because of this, the money comes from the demand side!!!!
Absolutely, Sandy. Right on.
The amount of LSD allowed (15 mcg) isn't even enough for a decent "trip", and the amount of meth looks very low too. So the law hasn't been changed to exactly "legalize" those drugs. As for the other three, I suppose the levels are reasonable.
It was just a realization that you can't arrest everyone for drugs. There wouldn't be anyone left in the country. Mexico is now a major drug consumer, the result of having been the major producer for many years.
Someday freedom loving Americans will realize drug prohibition is as much a failure as alcohol prohibition was. One result would be the cartels would need to find a new line of work. They could go into gambling and prostitution, another "sin" that should be legal besides Indian Casinos and Bunny Ranches.
Party ON Wayne!!!
Some are saying that Mexico will become a drug user destination. Rubbish! Why would anyone risk going down there to get high?
Pot is legal in California. I have my docs and can even buy legally with home delivery just like Pizza Man! With 20 minute door to door service, why would I drive or go anywhere? Mexico, are you crazy?
Some of these anti-drug alcohol drinkers need another nit to pick. Have another beer.
Fact: When a substance is made ILLEGAL it drives the price through the roof and therefore creates a Black Market for those who would take the chance. This creates Organized Crime (Drug Cartels)and with it comes extreme violence. When a substance is legal and manufactured it never ends up on the Black Market and creates commerce ($$$$)! I guess we can continue with Prohibition, and keep building more prisons to send our children to if they were not killed like the millions who are because of gang violence here at home over TURF.
He kind of looks like Herc from The Wire. No doubt he has a similar level of intelligence.
"However, this new law will undoubtedly bring hundreds of thousands of drug-seeking American tourists to Mexico, where they can now stay stoned for an entire week without fear of arrest. Delivering new customers to the drug cartels."
These drugs are widely accessible to anyone who wants them in the US, and the prices are not that much higher than those in Mexico. The average quality of Marijuana found in the US is actually higher than what you would find in Mexico. And countless studies have shown that there is absolutely no evidence of a correlation between the strictness of drug laws in a principality and their drug usage rates. So tell me.. why is that Americans will "undoubtedly" travel to Mexico to use drugs? To hang out with the friendly narcocorridos?
Ron Paul - War on Drugs a "Complete Failure"
www.youtube.com/watch?v=bvFYCky0muY
Germany, Portugal, Holland and other European countries de-criminalized possession of small amounts of drugs long ago. Does this mean they are now under "complete control of Mexican drug cartels"?
Prohibition of booze in the US gave birth to the mafia and Al Capone. Not much violence associated with trade in booze nowadays is there?
How many drug murders in the USA last year? Double the number in Mexico? 25,000?
Is prohibition of "narcotics" stemming the DEMAND for them? Is it stemming violence? Ppl refrain from using dope because its illegal?
If Mexico did not exist...the law of SUPPLY AND DEMAND dictates that the USA would still have a "drug problem"...and the violence associated with prohibition.
Got something to say?
Examiner.com is looking for writers, photographers, and videographers to join the fastest growing group of local insiders. If you are interested in growing your online rep apply to be an Examiner today!