US drug legislation to slow Mexico violence? – Features – Al Jazeera English

In his first month as Mexico’s new President, Enrique Pena Nieto has promised a different strategy to fight the so-called war on drugs.

More than 60,000 people have died in Mexico’s drug violence since 2006 and politicians are looking for new solutions, as sending the military to fight the cartels has not reduced the carnage.

Nieto has cited new marijuana laws in the US states of Colorado and Washington as further evidence that Mexico needs to rethink its drug war policy.

The two states approved the commercial production and distribution of marijuana in statewide referendums on November 6.

The impact of the new US marijuana laws on Mexico is being weighed in terms of the financial impact on drug gangs and the political impact on the Nieto administration.

via US drug legislation to slow Mexico violence? – Features – Al Jazeera English.