http://www.publicsquare.net/bbpress/ Common Ground, Uncommon Debate en Tue, 07 Sep 2010 22:04:35 +0000 http://www.publicsquare.net/bbpress/topic/mexico-legalize-drugs#post-21 Mon, 12 Oct 2009 23:43:16 +0000 JS 21@http://www.publicsquare.net/bbpress/ <p>I do think the legalization of many drugs in small amounts is a step in the right direction, I'm unsure of the immediate, short-term effects it will have on drug violence in Mexico. I think the power of the drug cartels and the violence they create will remain for quite a while especially if the United States does not follow suit in some kind of legalization legislation.</p> <p>The drug cartels in Mexico undoubtedly do a lot of business across national lines, any effect legalization in Mexico has on weakening the drug cartels will be infinitely diminished unless followed by a legalization in the United States.</p> <p>Obviously, I've put forth no detail on what kind of legalization should take place, that is the subject of a very different debate. </p> http://www.publicsquare.net/bbpress/topic/mexico-legalize-drugs#post-18 Sun, 11 Oct 2009 13:26:08 +0000 admin 18@http://www.publicsquare.net/bbpress/ <p>Mexico's Senate approved a bill recently that decriminalizes possession of small amounts of narcotics for personal use in order to free resources to fight violent drug cartels. </p> <p>It is now legal to carry up to 5 grams marijuana, 500 milligrams of cocaine and small quantities of other drugs. Individuals carrying such drugs will no longer face criminal prosecuton.</p> <p>Drug violence has killed 2,000 people this year across Mexico after 6,3000 deaths in 2008. </p> <p>The bill allows Mexican states to prosecute small-time drug dealers, since drug dealers are rarely convicted in Mexico as federal courts usually have larger cases to deal with. Local judges usually don't interfere due to the danger it puts them in.</p> <p>Question: Will the legalization of small amounts of narcotics be effective in stopping the violence in Mexico and in the United States from drug gangs? </p>