The Drug War / I Am Wondering

The Drug War / I Am Wondering

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If drugs were to be legalized in the USA, how would this make things any different in Mexico? Are chances good that drugs would be legalized without having them heavily taxed and regulated anywhere in the USA?

For instance if marijuana were legalized and the legal price was say fifty five dollars an ounce, would not the cartels import unregulated marijuana and sell it for forty, thirty, twenty?

If marijuana were legalized how much of the violence and killing would go away?

Would heroin, amphetamines, cocaine and designer drugs also have to be legalized in order for the violence to go away?

If all drugs were to be made legal, and even free for all, would this do a thing to curb the killing over things like protection and extortion?

I am genuinely confused over this issue and I would welcome a civilized rational discussion of the above points in order to help me understand this. I have no contact with drugs or people who use them and I have to rely on reading for my information. Thank you.

Jan 25, 2012, 12:31 PM

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Re: [michoacan] The Drug War / I Am Wondering

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IMO, if drugs were legalized or even made to disappear then the cartels would simply get into other lines of criminal activity to make up the losses. Kidnappings, robberies, extortion, porn, gambling, etc would become a bigger part of their portfolio. These are guys that like getting lots for little and love the gangster lifestyle. Little would change other than the business model.

Did making alcohol legal again get rid if the gangsters in the US?

Bob
Inside Lakeside
http://www.insidelakeside.com

chicois8

Jan 25, 2012, 12:42 PM

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Re: [michoacan] The Drug War / I Am Wondering

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michoacan

Jan 25, 2012, 11:33 AM

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The Drug War / I Am Wondering
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If drugs were to be legalized in the USA, how would this make things any different in Mexico? Are chances good that drugs would be legalized
without having them heavily taxed and regulated anywhere in the USA?

I guess you do not think that the USA is also a corridor for drug smuggling into Canada, the USA is not the only market for illegal drugs.....

stevebrtx

Jan 25, 2012, 1:13 PM

Post #4 of 30 (2462 views)

Re: [michoacan] The Drug War / I Am Wondering

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First of all drugs are not going to be legalized in our lifetime, so you're discussing a dream. Bob is right, you have thousands of guys who don't think twice about chopping off heads, they like the bling and the next readily available source is gringos, these guys are not going back to working in the cane fields
http://www.chapalaweather.net

richmx2

Jan 25, 2012, 2:39 PM

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Re: [michoacan] The Drug War / I Am Wondering

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You're assuming the U.S. wants the "war on drugs" to end... it doesn't. There's too much money to be made in the prison and police industry, as well as the "assistance" supposedly for Mexico that goes to U.S. suppliers of guns, trucks and "training". And, even if it did, you don't think they want Mexicans controlling the supply of what seems to be a necessity to the U.S. populace (which consumes about half the world's narcotics). Oh no... same as oil or metals: if it's not in the hands of multinational corporations, it's evil socialism.

I almost find myself agreeing with Newt Gingrich that the U.S. should just start executing its drug "dealers" (especially the suburban white ones). If they want a "war on drugs" they can fight it on their own side of the border, and leave the rest of us alone.

http://mexfiles.net
http://voiceofmexico.com
http://editorialmazatlan.com

joaquinx

Jan 25, 2012, 2:47 PM

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Re: [richmx2] The Drug War / I Am Wondering

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Quote

Oh no... same as oil or metals: if it's not in the hands of multinational corporations, it's evil socialism.

Of course.Why didn't I think of this before. Socialism - maybe even, God forbid, Communism. The horrors. If we legalize it, we might have peace without honor.
Such insight.
_______
My desire to be well-informed is currently at odds with my desire to remain sane.

Jan 25, 2012, 4:12 PM

Post #7 of 30 (2409 views)

Re: [stevebrtx] The Drug War / I Am Wondering

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IMO, I think there are only 3 ways for Mexico to reduce this violence and get back to acceptable levels in the near future:

1) Go back to the older ways of leaving the cartels alone as long as they "police" their own thugs and reduce the violence towards the local "innocent" populations.

OR

2) Totally redo the corrupt policing system and inadequate justice system. This one will cost a lot of money as police officers need to be trained better, paid plenty more and then be held accountable for any corruption (long jail terms). There will need to be additional courts and jails, etc, etc.

OR

3) Total eradication of cartel members and associates. Extreme prejudice is used by the military. Bypass the police and justice system. Make it very dangerous to be involved in crime. This would be an all out war and may require help from other countries. Not a good option.

Bob
Inside Lakeside
http://www.insidelakeside.com

Jan 25, 2012, 5:07 PM

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Re: [CanuckBob] The Drug War / I Am Wondering

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I'll take option number one,as the the others probably aren't practical,that and alot of education directed at young people.
Chris

stevebrtx

Jan 25, 2012, 5:14 PM

Post #9 of 30 (2384 views)

Re: [richmx2] The Drug War / I Am Wondering

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Two comments:
1. if you believe that I'll bet you think there were 4 shooters at Dallas.
2. Cheap shot, save your powder, you'll need it in a few months.
http://www.chapalaweather.net

richmx2

Jan 25, 2012, 5:20 PM

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Re: [cbviajero] The Drug War / I Am Wondering

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Or, my tongue in cheek contribution: Potmex.

More seriously, we can do like Bolivia did with coca, and buy up the marijuana and opium poppy harvests for alternative uses, and/or pay farmers NOT to grow (call it biosphere protection and plant trees if that makes people feel better).

http://mexfiles.net
http://voiceofmexico.com
http://editorialmazatlan.com

Jan 25, 2012, 5:27 PM

Post #11 of 30 (2380 views)

Re: [richmx2] The Drug War / I Am Wondering

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Potmex, sure just like pemex,all the employees get 2 months paid vacation 100% pensions and all the pot they can smoke or sell free.
Chris

(This post was edited by cbviajero on Jan 25, 2012, 5:28 PM)

richmx2

Jan 25, 2012, 5:35 PM

Post #12 of 30 (2375 views)

Re: [cbviajero] The Drug War / I Am Wondering

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And that's bad?

http://mexfiles.net
http://voiceofmexico.com
http://editorialmazatlan.com

Jan 25, 2012, 5:40 PM

Post #13 of 30 (2372 views)

Re: [richmx2] The Drug War / I Am Wondering

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In Reply To

And that's bad?

Heck no it's one of the best gigs in the country after diputado or maybe a job with the aduana.
Chris

Jan 25, 2012, 6:38 PM

Post #14 of 30 (2348 views)

Re: [cbviajero] The Drug War / I Am Wondering

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I also prefer option #1. Let the US and Canada worry about getting their own citizens off drugs. It will also cut into the US gun sales as the cartel won't need as many..........

Bob
Inside Lakeside
http://www.insidelakeside.com

donemry

Jan 26, 2012, 9:57 AM

Post #15 of 30 (2259 views)

Re: [CanuckBob] The Drug War / I Am Wondering

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So some of you think option 1 is a good idea and you think that would reduce violence? You are aware that the bulk of the murders are cartel vs. cartel. How would that change?

Read this and consider that option again.

http://stratfor.com/...e-mexicos-cartel-war

Jan 26, 2012, 10:51 AM

Post #16 of 30 (2243 views)

Re: [donemry] The Drug War / I Am Wondering

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Nobody is saying it's a good option,but of the three offered it might be the most practical.As far as cartel vs. cartel violence maybe the mex guv could back the least violent cartel and join together to eliminate the others.Do you have a better option?
Chris

(This post was edited by cbviajero on Jan 26, 2012, 11:33 AM)

Reefhound

Jan 26, 2012, 11:25 AM

Post #17 of 30 (2226 views)

Re: [cbviajero] The Drug War / I Am Wondering

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I'd vote #2. It is an enormous and expensive task but would permanently set up Mexico as a stable business and investment environment and allow them to join the so-called First World. I think it would pay back in spades for generations.

I think many are being naive about #1 as if Mexico operates in a vacuum. Specifically, about the consequences of the reactions from the USA and Canada (and ROW) to Mexico effectively sanctioning drug cartels by looking the other way. Economically, politically, and perhaps militarily.

Jan 26, 2012, 11:49 AM

Post #18 of 30 (2218 views)

Re: [Reefhound] The Drug War / I Am Wondering

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#2 would be great but I don't see it see it happening here any time soon.
Chris

Altahabana

Jan 26, 2012, 12:13 PM

Post #19 of 30 (2208 views)

Re: [Reefhound] The Drug War / I Am Wondering

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The federal government has already started to implement at least part of #2 in Tamaulipas (suspension or dismissal of most members of municipal police forces in the major cities) and it has stabalized the situation. But the police have been replaced by the military and that is obviously not a long term solution.

Option #1 may be an unstated part of the PRI platform in the upcoming presidential election. The military in Tamaulipas already is using #3 on a limited scale.

johanson

Jan 26, 2012, 4:35 PM

Post #20 of 30 (2171 views)

Re: [CanuckBob] The Drug War / I Am Wondering

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I don't mean to make light of this all because this matter is terribly serious. But I remember as a kid, Canuckbob, loving the very famous "BC bud". I also remember that at age 19, which was/is the legal drinking age in BC , being the designated driver when we drove from slightly south of the border to Surrey, to drink beer with the then famous Surrey girls. Those were good memories.

Now, of course, the only drugs I take are prescribed by the Doctor and of course, the most important one of all is my nightly dose of not Tequila but Bacardi Rum.

On a more serious note, what you all have been posting is a terribly important topic, so important, that I am scared, and I have to put my head in the sand (I mean snow) and pretend it doesn't exist, hiding behind my very high electrified fence and where I also have a night watchman.

Jan 27, 2012, 7:57 AM

Post #21 of 30 (2106 views)

Re: [johanson] The Drug War / I Am Wondering

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Thanks for the memories Johanson. Sounds like we would have been good friends in the younger years. Having grown up in Surrey I can attest that the legends of the Surrey girls are 100% fact. We will need to get together for as few cervezas soon to discuss this.........jaja.

Bob
Inside Lakeside
http://www.insidelakeside.com

careyeroslib

Jan 27, 2012, 7:44 PM

Post #22 of 30 (2022 views)

Re: [michoacan] The Drug War / I Am Wondering

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I vote for looking at legalization as a policy option. I said looking at it, not adopting it.

Altahabana

Jan 28, 2012, 6:37 AM

Post #23 of 30 (1973 views)

Re: [careyeroslib] The Drug War / I Am Wondering

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I vote for looking at legalization as a policy option. I said looking at it, not adopting it.

An option for Mexico or the US? The biggest revenue generators for the cartels, cocaine and powdered methamphetimine, will never be legalized in the US in our lifetimes.

Legalization in Mexico is already an issue. The federal attorney general Marisela Morales has publically stated on several occasions thata majo r cause of the increase in violence over the past couple of years has been the fight over control of local drug markets--most notably in Veracruz. It probably isn't on the radar of most board readers, but there is a growing problem with drug use/abuse in Mexico.

http://mexico.cnn.com/...iva-seguridad-del-df

michoacan

Jan 28, 2012, 10:33 AM

Post #24 of 30 (1919 views)

Re: [Altahabana] The Drug War / I Am Wondering

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A friend of mine came up with an interesting idea --- build special prisons at the USA/Mexico border that would be administered by the USA that has access for Mexican families to visit. This might stop payoffs and jailbreaks? I am distressed about the percentage of US Customs Agents and Border Patrol Agents who are Latino who get arrested for corruption.

My friend also said that the state of California is studying a program in which all license plates on motor vehicles will have bar codes. Special readers are just appearing on the market that can scan around a police car so that it can be driven around and any bar coded car that gets near it would be studied and flagged if the database contained that plate number. This is all for homeland security or improving collection of fees for revenue?

chinagringo

Jan 28, 2012, 10:47 AM

Post #25 of 30 (1916 views)