The mafia existed since before prohibition. While they got big during the Alcohol War, they definitely had the advantage of having a vice distribution network s

The mafia existed since before prohibition. While they got big during the Alcohol War, they definitely had the advantage of having a vice distribution network set up ahead of time. The cartels definitely were able to develop their network on the back of certain drugs, however, with marijuana being a significant amount of that money, I don't think they'd be able to maintain the level of sophistication in their network that they have now. Much like how the Mafia is a shell of its former self, the Cartels will fade once their main sources of income are eliminated.