Vicente Fox: Pro-Legalization

In a recent interview with Time, former Mexican President Vicente Fox explains he stance about legalizing drugs to take control of the black market economy back from organized crime. Fox was President of Mexico from 2000 until 2006. During his tenure the battle with narcotics cartels escalated intensely.

El Ex-Presidente

Several countries have taken steps to decriminalize possession of narcotics. Portugal, Holland, and Mexico have policies in place that decriminalize and legalize certain drugs, to an extent. Most nations are held back by the United Nations. Membership in the U.N. requires countries to commit to combating drug trafficking, the opposite of legalization. Fox says that countries should pioneer the way to a new world drug policy, not cower from progress because of the U.N. Fox expressed regret that Prop 19 did not pass in California. He recognizes the legalization issue in California as the forefront of this policy he now endorses.

Mexico had almost 12,000 murders in 2010, many related to the infamous drug trafficking cartels that run billions of dollars in drugs through Mexico to the U.S. annually. Those who promote legalization of drugs such as marijuana are attempting to put the means of production and profit from such products, in the hands of the people. Surely it would be a bold move, but Mexico, like the rest of the U.S., is looking to Californians to lead the charge into comprehensive marijuana reform. Too bad Fox didn't adopt this pro-legalization stance when he was in office.