Continuing with our theme this evening of Latin America reaction to U.S. drug policy, this article from Excelsior argues that Mexico should legalize marijuana by adopting a strategy that Washington won’t be able to oppose.
José A. Crespo of Mexico’s Excelsior writes in part:
“What Mexico could do to alter its failed drug policy – with a view to sapping the economic power of the cartels, which translates into political power, corruption and the capacity to mount armed attacks – is to follow the steps taken in the United States, or to put it more clearly, some of its states that have decided to decriminalize marijuana … If all of Mexico were to adopt the Californian legislation (or some version like it that didn’t go any further), Washington would have no political argument to pressure us with, since our natural response would be, ‘And why is such legislation permitted in 13 of the American states?’ It would not go one step further than in the United States, so as not to lead to consequent political pressure.”
By José A. Crespo
Translated By Douglas Myles Rasmussen
February 27, 2009
Mexico – Excelsior – Original Article (Spanish)
Those of us who consider that the least bad option for dealing with drugs would be their (gradual, careful, exploratory) decriminalization, and treating the problem as a public health issue (as is already the case with alcohol and tobacco), are aware of the difficulty of implementing such a political strategy. We know that as long as the United States opposes such a measure, it will be impossible to implement, since the pressure from the country against such a move would be irresistible for the weak governments of Latin America.From his statements, it seems that [President] Felipe Calderón is one of those who think this way, contrary to what one might infer from his costly anti-narco-trafficking strategy. At least some of the statements he made in his second State of the Nation speech suggest this. When asked by journalist Denise Maerker, “Wouldn’t it be cheaper in resources and human lives to promote the legalization of drugs?,” Calderón replied: “That’s of course an alternative that will have to be explored, (but) it should be a universal effort that I don’t see … I understand the logic, which is to kill off the economic stimulus. But if, for example, the ban persists on the northern side of the border, you won’t kill the economic stimulus and will allow the impunity to worsen.”
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