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Domestic marijuana growth putting squeeze on Mexican cartels

By Howard B. Owens

We saw a couple of busts this summer of people accused of growing pot, and of course the State Police flew its helicopter around looking for marijuana fields, but it turns out, increased domestic production maybe putting more hurt on Mexican drug cartels than years of "the war on drugs."

American pot growers now produce half of all the weed sold in the United States.

Contrary to traditional images of rural pot farming, small-scale production and indoor farming may have played a large role in the increased production. "While the trafficking of cocaine, heroin and methamphetamine is the main focus of U.S. law enforcement, it is marijuana that has long provided most of the revenue for Mexican drug cartels," the reporters write.

And like Starbuck adjusting its brand to meet increased local competition, the drug cartels are changing the way they do business.

Mexican cartels are improving their product and streamlining delivery to compete with increased U.S. production, they report. The National Drug Intelligence Center says cartels are increasingly growing pot on public lands in the U.S. to move closer to the market.

Of course, state treasuries aren't seeing a dime of benefit from all of this commerce.

bud prevost

Try telling that to a nicotine addicted 2 pack a day cigarette addict. The withdrawl symptoms from trying to quit are remarkably close to that of heroin and opiates.

Oct 13, 2009, 12:16pm Permalink
Kim Grant

I'm not talking about withdrawal symptoms. I'm talking about being drunk or stoned while driving or running anything mechanical. I would much prefer to ride in a vehicle with someone that smokes a cigarette over another who's smoking weed and/or drinking. But all anyone wants to look at is revenue for the state. Sad.

Oct 13, 2009, 3:39pm Permalink
bud prevost

Kim...to be honest, it's less about revenue for the state, and more about an adult being able to make a choice, and not be a criminal for it. Pot is nowhere, and I mean NOWHERE as bad a drug as alcohol is.

Oct 13, 2009, 8:14pm Permalink
Amanda Rumble

I agree completely. I know many people who drink and many who smoke and the worst cases I've seen of problems are with those who drink. It's much worse than pot as a drug. If one is legal, they both need to be.

Oct 13, 2009, 11:37pm Permalink
Doug Yeomans

One thing about pot laws puzzles me. I can remember back in the day when possession of 7/8ths of an ounce or under became a ticketable infraction. Where is that 7/8ths of an ounce supposed to come from? The answer is obvious. Someone has to risk a misdemeanor or a felony to supply the 7/8ths of an ounce.

Oct 16, 2009, 9:46am Permalink
Doug Yeomans

Local growers are pissing off the cops because it cuts into their profits. Police forces involved with major busts share the confiscated money and property seizures. Growing your own means you won't be buying Mexican products which in turn means no money for the drug task forces. How dare you make the world a safer place by growing your own.

Oct 17, 2009, 2:56pm Permalink
Doug Yeomans

Kim, nicotine is a drug. All drugs have an effect on the brain. Cigarettes are in the same class as weed and booze for that very reason. Nicotine and caffeine are stimulants and "do" affect a persons behavior.

Oct 17, 2009, 3:07pm Permalink

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