On Drug Policy, Mexico's President Has a Bigger Vocabulary Than Ours

With the latest official count indicating that 28,000 people have died in prohibition-related violence since Mexican President Felipe Calderon launched his crackdown on the drug cartels in 2006, Calderon says he is open to debating the merits of legalization. "It's a fundamental debate in which I think, first of all, you must allow a democratic plurality [of opinions]," he said during a meeting yesterday with civic and business leaders. "You have to analyze carefully the pros and cons and the key arguments on both sides."

One of Calderon's predecessors, Ernesto Zedillo, has been conspicuously critical of the war on drugs. But until now Calderon has always said he is firmly opposed to legalization, although he did sign legislation that eliminated criminal penalties for possessing small amounts of drugs for personal use. A few hours after Tuesday's meeting, Calderon's office issued a statement that emphasized he is still "against the legalization of drugs." At least it's in his vocabulary.

I discuss Mexico's prohibition-related violence here and here.

[Thanks to Tom Angell for the tip.]

Editor's Note: We invite comments and request that they be civil and on-topic. We do not moderate or assume any responsibility for comments, which are owned by the readers who post them. Comments do not represent the views of Reason.com or Reason Foundation. We reserve the right to delete any comment for any reason at any time.

  • Hannity| |

    All marijuana smokers are raging addicts. It's obvious and unrefutiable.

    Do you agree? Yes or No?

    Answer the question! YES or NO?

  • | |

    Unrefutiable?

  • | |

    Our president thinks proposals to legalize just plain ol' reefer are worthy only of mockery.

  • ▲ ▲| |

    Our president is an enormous cock.

  • Coeus| |

    Racist.

  • Coeus| |

    Oh, is an enormous cock.

    Nevermind.

    Carry on.

  • David E. Gallaher| |

    28,000 dead in a failed war. Only politicians have such a loose grip on reality.

  • The Other Kevin| |

    I thought that in the drug war, the more people you kill or lock up, the more successful you are, right?

  • The Other Kevin| |

    This guy is going to get a visit from Sec. Clinton. Just to "make sure we're on the same page."

  • BakedPenguin| |

    On Drug Policy, Mexico's President Has a Bigger Vocabulary Than Ours

    Yeah - in America, the War on Drugs is all about dick sizing, not word sizing.

    "I'm morely against drugs than you are! Soft on drugs! Soft!"

  • ChrisO| |

    If Mexico wanted to supercharge their economy, they could simply legalize drugs and encourage narco-tourism. Heck, as far as I can tell, that's the only reason Amsterdam actually exists anymore.

  • BakedPenguin| |

    Don't be silly, Chris. There are also hookers.

  • Irresponsible Hater| |

    Prostitution is already legal in Mexico, BTW.

    One of the most beautiful countries in the world: If they end prohibition (and thereby eliminate most of their police corruption), their economy would roar to life.

GET REASON MAGAZINE

Get Reason's print or digital edition before it’s posted online

OUR CURRENT ISSUE:

  • Sex in the Arab world
  • Obama's last gasp at a legacy
  • How arbitrary description of mental illness messes up public policy
  • And much more

SUBSCRIBE

advertisement