It’s estimated that 11% of Americans over the age of 12 regularly smoke marijuana. The pot they are smoking, most likely comes from south of the border. And this high demand for marijuana finances a battle between violent cartels that is said to have killed 40,000 Mexicans over the past 5 years. While legal changes in the U.S. stand to further push the substance into the acceptable range, it may only worsen things for our neighbors to the south.
This article from the Houston Chronicle says that marijuana can be seen as the “money market fund” of the Mexican cartels. While heroin, meth, and cocaine may also be in their bag of tricks, demand for marijuana remains fairly constant and a good source of income throughout the years.
Coming up with figures on the impact of marijuana on the drug trade is difficult. Some figures say that it accounts for 60% of Mexican gang revenues while others say it’s anywhere from 15 to 40%. Likewise, it’s difficult to know how much is being grown. One figure suggested Mexico produced 21,500 metric tons of cannabis in 2008.
Americans want marijuana and Mexican marijuana is more widely available than home-grown, in part because it’s easier to grow there. Fourteen states have decriminalized possession of a small amount of marijuana, making it as serious as a traffic ticket. Several other states have legalized medical marijuana. But aside from those few card-holding patients, no one can legally buy or grow the substance, creating even more demand on the Mexican producers.
The Mexican drug trade is a violent one, and one that the U.S. War on Drugs is indirectly financing. We have the demand and they are the only ones willing and able to keep up with the supply. By purchasing marijuana and other drugs from Mexico buyers encourage the cartels even when the U.S. government is sinking money and resources to curb the violence and keep the drugs out of the country.
U.S. drug czar Gil Kerlikowske has said, “We are making a significant mistake when we think it’s just a benign drug.” But it seems the laws that are essentially driving the illegal drug trade are making it far more dangerous than it is alone.
While even prosecutors and judges have seemed to relax on prosecutions and penalties for marijuana offenses, you can still face serious charges—even for possession. If you are charged with possession of marijuana, trafficking, or possession with intent to distribute, we can put you in touch with a local defense lawyer today.
About David Matson