Legalizing Weed Has Done What 1 Trillion Dollars and a 40 Year War Couldn’t

[joshcryer]

(ANTIMEDIA) The Mexican drug cartels are finally meeting their match as a wave of cannabis legalization efforts drastically reshapes the drug trafficking landscape in the United States. It turns out that as states legalize cannabis use and cultivation, the volume of weed brought across the border by Mexican drug cartels dramatically decreases — and is putting a dent in their cash flow.

A newly-released statistical report from the U.S. Border Patrol shows a sharp drop-off in cannabis captured at the border between the United States and Mexico. The reduction in weed trafficking coincides with dozens of states embracing cannabis use for both medical and recreational purposes.

In fact, as the Washington Post reports, cannabis confiscations at the southern border have stumbled to the lowest point in over a decade — to only 1.5 million pounds. That’s down from a peak of four million pounds in 2009.

Speaking to Anti-Media, Amir Zendehnam, host of the popular cannabis show, “In the Clear with Amir” on Z420.tv, told us what he thinks of these new statistics:

http://cultureofawareness.com/2016/03/06/legalizing-weed-has-done-what-1-trillion-dollars-and-a-40-year-war-couldnt/

Good read.

[denverbill]

1. One of the main reasons I voted to legalize it in Colorado.

The other being that it's stupid to jail people for doing something that, at worst, harms them somewhat. Save the jails and fines for people who hurt others.

[joshcryer]

2. Yup.

Easiest vote I ever made in my life. Hardest campaign. But easiest vote. Busted my ass on that campaign, even more so than previous elections, but when it came to the mail in ballot? Down voted Democrats (Libertarian if there were no Democrat contestants in whatever case), and pow, Amendment 64. Easy.

Mail in balloting made it really great, though.

[eridani]

6. Can't claim to have worked for it in WA--too much other stuff going on

I did send them a few bucks and bugged all my contacts about it, though. Thanks for putting in all that work.

[joshcryer]

7. Highlight of my life.

Though I still like to brag about keeping Colorado blue in 2010, I busted my ass hard on that one, one of the few states to stay blue. It was overturned in 2014 when I couldn't be as active (helping my mom and nephew and niece during a move, I physically couldn't participate, family above politics). Still breaks my heart, Udall was a great guy, lost because he took the brave position against extended magazines after Sandy Hook. He helped bust open the NSA crap. And yeah, he was "Third Way." I still loved that guy.

But when all is said and done, my 2012 vote for legalization (and Obama reelection) was the best thing I ever did in my life. A tribute to RainDog (DUer who died).

I stand proud of Colorado and any states going forward who are ending this utterly ridiculous drug war.

[eridani]

8. Damn! I really miss Raindog too n/t

[Warren DeMontague]

9. Yep.

I'll third that one.

[stillwaiting]

3. SO much good will come from legalization. So much. nt

[TeamPooka]

4. K&R!

[Duppers]

5. And Secretary Clinton position?

To continue spending trillions is not a sensible economic decision.

Thank you for this info. Persuadable.

[RussBLib]

10. they are likely to become "crime cartels"

They will have to switch to other, more-profitable pursuits, like kidnapping for ransom.