Mexico president hints legalizing drugs may be needed

[Judi Lynn]

Source: Reuters

Mexico president hints legalizing drugs may be needed
Tue Sep 20, 2011 2:50am GMT
By Dave Graham

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Mexican President Felipe Calderon on Monday turned up pressure on the United States to curb demand for illicit drugs, hinting that legalization of narcotics may be needed to weaken the drug cartels.

Mexico, which has been racked by a bloody conflict between the government and drug cartels, is paying the price for its proximity to the United States, Calderon said in a speech to the Americas Society and Council of the Americas in New York.

"We are living in the same building. And our neighbour is the largest consumer of drugs in the world. And everybody wants to sell him drugs through our doors and our windows," he said.

"We must do everything to reduce demand for drugs," Calderon added. "But if the consumption of drugs cannot be limited, then decision-makers must seek more solutions -- including market alternatives -- in order to reduce the astronomical earnings of criminal organizations."

Read more: http://af.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idAFTRE78J0KL20110920?rpc=401&feedType=RSS&feedName=worldNews&rpc=401

[CaliforniaPeggy]

1. Sounds like he's finally getting it.

[samsingh]

2. he's right

imagine what would happen if Mexico legalized drugs! violent crime would begin to plummet.

[reggie the dog]

7. not only Mexico but the usa as well

if Mexico legalized then its drug production, importation, sale and possession would be legal and above ground but there would still be the huge demand for ILLEGAL drugs in the USA so the cartels would still use Mexico as a transit point. the problem in mexico is not really mexican drug demand it is demand for drugs in the usa

[demosincebirth]

11. The U.S. is who he is referring to.

[lunasun]

20. Our choice then as a country what next , can stop blaming Mexico for our issues

[ronnie624]

3. His appeal will doubtless fall on deaf ears in Washington.

There's too much money to be made by influential companies, like Dyncorp.

[truthisfreedom]

4. It takes an intelligent mind to understand what causes trouble in the world.

Crime under prohibition was insane. Afterward, it plummeted radically.

[WCGreen]

5. finally someone is talking sense....

If you take the illicit nature of the habit away, you can better deal with all the fall out as people will not be hidden in the shadow of the legal system...

[Beam Me Up]

6. Washington will NEVER legalize drugs

because they're in the pockets of even higher level criminal enterprises than those Calderon would like to undercut. The international illicit drug trade is one of the largest players in the global market, forth behind banking, oil and armaments. Our incursion into Afghanistan isn't only about hydrocarbon resources, you know.

[DeSwiss]

8. K&R

- Is that fresh air I smell?

[druidity33]

9. Vicente Fox wanted to...

Obrador said he would have. But guess who won the Mexican election? The Bush crony... under suspicious circumstances mind you. Remember Obrador's parallel government?

:shrug:

[Fly by night]

10. I'd like to hint that the sun may rise in the east.

Like night follows day, this madness has to stop.

Keep it up, Mexico and EVERYONE else. One day, we'll take the hint.

EVERY SENTIENT being in the known universe agrees ... except our fearless (feckless) leaders.

What is it, really, they are afraid of?

[duhneece]

12. The failed War on Drugs is unjust from so many perspectives

I hope this inspires more of us to speak up and out about the need for a change in how we treat drug use and abuse.

[xchrom]

13. recommend

[sarcasmo]

14. This is what it will take, Presidents getting on board for legalization to happen..

Rehab not jail.

[dmosh42]

15. Wash. DC is already controlled by the criminals.....

and they don't want to legalize a racket that pays back bigtime to them and many of our crooked politicians, which I think is the majority.

[Uncle Joe]

16. Kicked and recommended for common sense, logic, sanity, justice and freedom.

Thanks for the thread, Judi Lynn.:thumbsup:

[tawadi]

17. Political pressures from other countries will likely prevent it

But it's good he's at least opening up dialogue.

[Vidar]

18. Oh dear, now the CIA will have to assassinate him.

[lunasun]

19. smart move on their part