The debate over legalizing cannabis (pot, weed, marijuana)—is not a new one. Several states have legalized the drug for medical purposes, but what happens when cannabis is legalized for everyone? This BBC article http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/8275794.stm illustrates the growing cannabis culture in California and the fight for and against legalizing the drug. However, what I find most intriguing about the article was this statement from Richard Lee, a California man who runs Oaksterdam, a facility which explores cannabis in the medical industry and educates people about cannabis "According to some estimates, the Mexican cartels get 60-70% of their money - their profit - from cannabis…So if we cut that out of the equation then theoretically 60-70% of the violence they perpetrate would be cut out, because they'd have less money for the guns and weapons and ammunition to kill people and to spend on bribing officials and all the rest.” While this is by no means a verified fact, but perhaps a hasty assumption to make—it does bring to light an interesting question—can the legalization of drugs actual make violence go down? Can the legalization of cannabis in the United States mitigate the effects of drug cartels in Mexico and South America? What does the legalization of a formerly illegal drug do to drug cartels worldwide?
Image from: http://news.medill.northwestern.edu/uploadedImages/News/Chicago/Images/Science/DSC00987.JPG
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