How a Mexican Drug Cartel Makes Its Billions

Re:How a Mexican Drug Cartel Makes Its Billions by dsrguru on Friday June 15, 2012 @03:13PM (#4118142)

While that would reduce violent crime, it would also sanction people using recreational drugs besides alcohol, tobacco, and caffeine. Many voters and politicians find it against their religious or moral beliefs to allow other people to do recreational drugs besides the ones they themselves are doing.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:How a Mexican Drug Cartel Makes Its Billions by AJ007 on Friday June 15, 2012 @03:39PM (#4118285)

Arguably it would take time for the violent crime to subside. A culture of violence does not vanish over night, but rather over generations.

My prediction is Mexico's violent crime spilling over to the US resulting in a drug war surge (both already happening to some degree.) In the background, regulators slowly loosen up laws as to not lose face (would explain the toleration of medical marijuana.)

I can only imagine that from the outside American appear completely crazy. Regulators and lobbyists write the laws, bankers and the wealthy fund the enforcement, and then both parties consume them in obscene quantities. The exporting country pays the price in blood and corruption. From my perspective as an American, that's not crazy, that's evil.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:How a Mexican Drug Cartel Makes Its Billions by sstrudeau on Friday June 15, 2012 @04:45PM (#4118624)

Homicide and other violent crime rates tracked pretty tightly to the creation (and eventual repeal) of alcohol prohibition laws in the US. Homicide rates dropped dramatically immediately after prohibitions repeal. We likely wouldn't need to wait "generations" to see a benefit.

One reference for prohibition homicide data: http://www.cato.org/publications/policy-analysis/alcohol-pro...

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:How a Mexican Drug Cartel Makes Its Billions by evoxed on Friday June 15, 2012 @09:58PM (#4119632)

Still, we should anticipate some delay before decay. Otherwise it could cause cold feet, leading to a pretty strong backlash.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:How a Mexican Drug Cartel Makes Its Billions by Osiris on Friday June 15, 2012 @06:34PM (#4119064)

One of the articles points is that violence is used because there are no other means to settle disputes. In a legal atmosphere, the legal system could be used instead of violence.

In additional, legalization would cause prices to crash because the risk would drop significantly. Even so, in a legal environment there would still be a black market because regulations would still impose restrictions, but it would be more like teenagers paying homeless guys to buy beer and cigarettes.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:How a Mexican Drug Cartel Makes Its Billions by jpadkins on Friday June 15, 2012 @06:17PM (#4119000)

add sugar to your list. People definitely eat for recreation and it is addictive.

People simply don't think rationally about the war on (some) drugs.

[ Parent | on HN ]