Large busts of marijuana are still occurring in Mexico, even as lawmakers debate relaxing cannabis laws and more U.S. states move toward legalization for both recreational and medical use.
In a joint operation involving the National Guard and the Mexican Army, federal authorities recently seized 90 kilograms of marijuana. The stash was discovered in a burrowed hole in a field near the Macrolibramiento (outer Guadalajara ring road) in the municipality of El Arenal. Authorities found 20 plastic-wrapped packages of various sizes, concealed under a black tarpaulin.
Whether Mexican authorities should continue allocating significant resources to marijuana seizures—rather than focusing on far more harmful drugs—remains a contentious issue. Some politicians argue that efforts should be redirected toward combatting fentanyl trafficking, a priority that has intensified under pressure from the Trump administration. The U.S. president has warned that Mexico must halt fentanyl shipments or face heavy import tariffs (see story, page 1).
Meanwhile, support for marijuana legalization in the United States has surged over the past two decades. As of March 2024, 24 U.S. states and the District of Columbia have legalized small amounts of marijuana for both medical and recreational use.