4 ms·

legalizing drugs would cause the collapse of the cartels and help to end this violence.

by jtmcmc 10y ago

brooklynmarket 10y ago
And also the collapse of the government. They're totally vested in keeping drugs illegal. It's a profit center for them
- ggiaco 10y ago
  No it isn't. It's a huge nightmare and this is why even current and former Mexican Presidents are calling for legalization - despite pressure from the U.S. against it. https://qz.com/874497/mexico-is-moving-toward-medical-marijuana-legalization-along-with-us-states/ https://qz.com/874497/mexico-is-moving-toward-medical-mariju... https://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/nov/18/former-president-vicente-fox-mexico-legalise-all-drugs-10-years https://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/nov/18/former-preside...
scott_karana 10y ago
It would likely end violence, but why can't these highly-organized, powerful cartels simply pivot into dealing wholesale, once legal?
- ggiaco 10y ago
  Well, then they essentially become above board legitimate businesses competing on their ability to provide a service in the market. Legalization implies regulation of some sort (e.g. like alcohol). You could also have a government-run monopoly. The point is to remove the billions of dollars in black-market profits which give rise to criminal organizations who cannot depend on the law to resolve their disputes and must therefore "make their own law".
- code_duck 10y ago
  They'd be competing with alcohol and pharmaceutical companies, who could easily arrange supply and wholesale distribution, and have the advantage navigating political and regulatory issues in a legal way. The paramilitary aspect of cartels would become obsolete, or perhaps be focused elsewhere? Like many people in the black market for cannabis in the US, ranging from growers to judges, they probably see legalization as a disruption that is not welcome since the current system is working well for them.

legalizing drugs would cause the collapse of the cartels and help to end this violence.

by jtmcmc 10y ago

legalizing drugs would cause the collapse of the cartels and help to end this violence.

brooklynmarket 10y ago

And also the collapse of the government. They're totally vested in keeping drugs illegal. It's a profit center for them

ggiaco 10y ago
No it isn't. It's a huge nightmare and this is why even current and former Mexican Presidents are calling for legalization - despite pressure from the U.S. against it. https://qz.com/874497/mexico-is-moving-toward-medical-marijuana-legalization-along-with-us-states/ https://qz.com/874497/mexico-is-moving-toward-medical-mariju... https://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/nov/18/former-president-vicente-fox-mexico-legalise-all-drugs-10-years https://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/nov/18/former-preside...

scott_karana 10y ago

It would likely end violence, but why can't these highly-organized, powerful cartels simply pivot into dealing wholesale, once legal?

ggiaco 10y ago
Well, then they essentially become above board legitimate businesses competing on their ability to provide a service in the market. Legalization implies regulation of some sort (e.g. like alcohol). You could also have a government-run monopoly. The point is to remove the billions of dollars in black-market profits which give rise to criminal organizations who cannot depend on the law to resolve their disputes and must therefore "make their own law".
code_duck 10y ago
They'd be competing with alcohol and pharmaceutical companies, who could easily arrange supply and wholesale distribution, and have the advantage navigating political and regulatory issues in a legal way. The paramilitary aspect of cartels would become obsolete, or perhaps be focused elsewhere? Like many people in the black market for cannabis in the US, ranging from growers to judges, they probably see legalization as a disruption that is not welcome since the current system is working well for them.