cnn


Former Mexican official urges legalizing marijuana
By Tom Evans, CNN
February 2, 2010 11:16 p.m. EST

(CNN) -- The United States and Mexico should both legalize marijuana in an attempt to break the power of the Mexican drug cartels and end the spiraling violence south of the border, a former Mexican foreign minister said Tuesday.

Jorge Castaneda, in an interview with CNN's Christiane Amanpour, said marijuana "should be legalized in both countries," and said it is ridiculous for Mexico to try to stop marijuana from entering the United States when it's legally sold for medical purposes in California.

"The Drug Enforcement Administration says that 60 percent of the Mexican (drug) cartels' profits come from marijuana. If we start with that, it's a big chunk," he added.

"We can't do everything overnight ... and we can't do it in Mexico if the U.S. doesn't do it at the same time."

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A Mexican marine stands guard as 7,000 kilograms of seized marijuana are incinerated on July 9, 2009, at the naval base in Guaymas, Sonora state, Mexico.
boaz Reviewed by boaz on . Former Mexican official urges legalizing marijuana cnn Former Mexican official urges legalizing marijuana By Tom Evans, CNN February 2, 2010 11:16 p.m. EST (CNN) -- The United States and Mexico should both legalize marijuana in an attempt to break the power of the Mexican drug cartels and end the spiraling violence south of the border, a former Mexican foreign minister said Tuesday. Jorge Castaneda, in an interview with CNN's Christiane Amanpour, said marijuana "should be legalized in both countries," and said it is ridiculous for Rating: 5