Thursday, November 14, 2024

Once Upon A Time And Time Again In Mexico: Tragedy And Farce

It’s important to remember that Mexico has very strong laws against gun ownership and a massive problem with guns, and Texas arrested 60,000 people for weed possession last year. 

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article solely belong to the author and do not necessarily represent those of The Fresh Toast.

August 13 was the 500th anniversary of the Spanish Conquest of Mexico, and things are as bloody and absurd as ever. 

SEE: “Why Was Vice President Harris Greeted With Trump Campaign Signs In Guatemala? AND: Did Guatemalan Residents ‘Greet’ Harris With Signs Reading ‘Trump Won’?

This month there are two more stories that add to the absurdity. 

Tijuana
Photo by DAVID NIETO via Unsplash

First, the Washington Post reported, “Legal U.S. marijuana is pouring into Mexico. It’s pricey, popular and has names such as ‘Bubba Kush.’” 

Really? Yep, really. Coals to Newcastle?  

Well, as the Post headline suggests, American, especially Californian, marijuana has a cachet, like “French Champagne.” Mexican growers have to worry about the violence of the gangs more than the quality of the weed. On the other hand, smuggling weed south is relatively low risk, with excellent profits.   

(It is important to note that this story is about LEGAL weed, bought at retail, not from the huge illegal market that is much cheaper, and exists because of high taxes and excessive regulations.)

SEE: Let Artisanal Marijuana Growers Replace The Black Market With Home Grown

Of course, while they are not likely to have a major impact on the Mexican market, they may embarrass the Mexican government into complying with their Supreme Court ruling and finally legalize it. 

SEE: Mexico Fails To Legalize Marijuana As Drug War Chaos Grows

Meanwhile, Mexico is suing the major American gun makers for $10 billion in damages.

Mexico's Cannabis Legalization Bill Will Boost Business, But There Are Concerns
Photo by John Coletti/Getty Images

It is important to remember that Mexico has very strong laws against gun ownership and a massive problem with guns, and Texas arrested 60,000 people for marijuana possession last year. 

SEE: If Gun Laws Were Enforced Like Marijuana Laws 

It is also important to remember that Mexico isn’t going anywhere. While the insurrectionists like to talk about “chaos at the border” to distract us from their role in the chaos at the Capitol, the chaos really starts far to the south, and not even in the Americas. 

SEE: Asylum Seekers At The Border 

On the other hand, the United States has over 330 million people and over 3,796,742 square miles. We are not being swamped by illegal immigration, but we and the rest of the world are being swamped by the Drug War.   

President Biden’s long history of prohibitionism has left him incapable of dealing with the global problems he helped create, while too many Senate Republicans just love talking about freedom, while supporting tens of millions of arrests for marijuana possession. 

SEE: Marijuana Popular In Texas, Just Not With Cruz And Repubs

Richard Cowan is a former NORML National Director and author of About The Roles Of Celebrities In The CBD Industry

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