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