Cannabis Science and Policy Summit 2016

Revenue from illicitly sold cannabis that is smuggled into the US from Mexico is one of the many revenue streams violent drug cartels in Mexico rely upon. Some experts argue that legalizing cannabis could slow or even stop the cross-border flow of money and cannabis between Mexico and the US, thus weakening drug cartels by reducing their income. There can be little doubt that the amount of cannabis being smuggled into the US has decreased in the past decade; however, other experts contend that the amount of revenue drug cartels generate from cannabis is too small to have a significant effect on their power or influence.

How much do drug cartels rely upon cannabis as a funding source?

Are drug cartels involved in any of the legal or quasi-legal cannabis markets in the US?

Can wide-spread cannabis legalization significantly impact drug cartels’ revenues?

Will impending cannabis legalization in Mexico affect attitudes there about fighting their side of the war on drugs?

Moderator:

Brad Rowe, President & Managing Director, BOTEC Analysis

Speakers:

Mark Kleiman, Professor of Public Policy, NYU Marron Institute of Urban Management

Lisa Sanchez, Drug Policy Director, Mexico United Against Crime

John Walsh, Senior Associate, WOLA

Alejandro Hope, Editor – Security & Justice, El Daily Post