Blood Marijuana

This week was particularly bloody as organized criminal groups massacred people in Tijuana, Ciudad Juarez and Tepic. These are the same groups who import drugs into the US and, consequently, are funded by US drug consumers. Let me repeat that, they are funded by US drug consumers.

Currently, there is a debate over what percentage of drug trafficking revenue comes from marijuana. Some say it is as high as 60% others counter that it is closer to 25%. Both of those numbers, however, are significant.

For those that use marijuana, learn where it comes from. Better yet, get to know your grower. Buy local. Do what you can to make sure the herb you smoke does not come from across the border. If you don't, you are complicit in the atrocities committed by the narco-trafficking groups. Just like blood diamonds that come from West Africa, there is blood marijuana.

Cocaine, heroine, and methamphetamine account for the remainder of the drug revenue. Unfortunately, I don't believe an appeal to users of these drugs would do much good.



* On a related note I watched a video the other day of a discussion put on by the Council on Foreign Relations about Mexico's problem with organized crime. It's wonkish but also contains an informative and spirited debate. I recommend it for anyone interested in learning about proposed solutions to this problem.