Pubdate: Thu, 01 Nov 2012 Source: Philadelphia Inquirer, The (PA) Copyright: 2012 Philadelphia Newspapers Inc Contact: http://www.philly.com/inquirer/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/340 U. S. POT VOTES THREATEN CARTELS? MEXICO CITY (AP) - A study released Wednesday by a respected Mexican think tank contends that proposals to legalize the recreational use of marijuana in Colorado, Oregon, and Washington could cut Mexican drug cartels' earnings from traffic to the United States by as much as 30 percent. Opponents questioned some of the study's assumptions, saying the proposals could also offer new opportunities for cartels to operate inside the United States. The ballot measures to be decided Nov. 6 would allow adults to possess small amounts of marijuana under a regimen of state regulation and taxation. Polls have shown tight races in Washington and Colorado, with Washington's measure appearing to have the best chance of passing. Oregon's measure, which would impose the fewest regulations, does not appear likely to pass. The study by the Mexican Competitiveness Institute assumes that legalization in any state would allow growers there to produce marijuana relatively cheaply and create an illicit flow to other states, where the drug could be made available at cheaper prices and higher quality than Mexican marijuana smuggled across the international border. - --- MAP posted-by: Matt