When Michael Dearman articulated the deleterious international effects of U.S. drug consumption on Mexican safety, there was an uproar that assumed he was advocating for the termination of marijuana usage, an unlikely and naive posture. I believe that this was not his intention.
Dearman chose to look beyond the United States’ border to better understand the relationship between the raging war on drugs in Mexico and high-levels of drug consumption in the U.S. The overwhelming response from readers was simple – legalize marijuana. Much like during the prohibition era in the U.S., legalizing the substance will reduce illegal activity and eradicate a black market.
While I agree that this worked historically in the U.S., I do not believe that it is the solution for Mexico’s woes. As a citizen of the latter, I am neither commenting on the feasibility of marijuana legalization in the United States, nor am I making a normative claim about this policy. Instead, I argue that legalizing marijuana is not the solution to the violence south of the U.S. border.
The drug war in Mexico spiked to the extraordinary levels that we see today when the violence between the cartels escalated in recent years. Though attributable to various factors, it is probable that the shrink in the U.S. cocaine market was influential. If this is the case, then the legalization of marijuana in the United States or the increased growth thereof domestically would only result in increased violence as well. The drug-trafficking organizations (DTOs) would struggle violently to gain control of the diminishing market.
The DTOs might also presumably turn to other black market activities to attempt economic hegemony there. Perhaps the sales of pirated movies and music, or maybe the illegal crossing of migrants, or sex trafficking. There is no shortage of options.
The control of these illegal, but influential sectors would only augment the cartels’ power and social dominance. Corruption is not new to the DTOs, and there would be no decrease in this, despite the legalization of marijuana.
Furthermore, what has been referred to as a “grey market” could also likely emerge. As the state taxes marijuana, the cartels can continue to dominate the market by selling marijuana more cheaply.
The solution to the oppressive war on drugs in Mexico is more systemic and deeply rooted in the failures of Mexican institutions. There is no shortcut, not even legalization of marijuana.
Calderon’s overt declaration of war and his exerted efforts to train a capable police force are a good start. Reform of the justice system must be next, along with the creation of jobs and another look at public education.
There is no shortage of room for growth, but there is also no alternative. Legalization of marijuana in the United States and/or in Mexico will never address the true short-comings of the U.S.’s neighbor.
Adriana Martinez is a political science, public policy, French and history major. She can be reached for comments or questions at [email protected].
