Pubdate: Mon, 11 Jun 2012
Source: Arizona Daily Sun (AZ)
Copyright: 2012 Arizona Daily Sun
Contact: http://news.azdailysun.com/opinion/letter_submit.cfm
Website: http://www.azdailysun.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1906
Author: Howard Fischer

MEXICO GOVERNOR LEERY OF MED POT LAW

Guillermo Padres Elias Is Worried That Mexican Drug Cartels Will Seek
a Share of the Medical Marijuana Trade in Arizona

TUCSON -- Arizona voters made a mistake in legalizing marijuana for
medical use, the governor of Sonora said Friday, at least from his
country's perspective.

"I don't believe in it," Guillermo Padres Elias said in response to a
question about how the 2010 law might affect the ability of his
country to combat the drug cartels.

"I believe that we are making an effort to stop the trafficking of
drugs to the north into the United States," he explained. Padres said
allowing people to use marijuana legally will only increase the demand.

Legally speaking, the ballot measure requires that those who have a
doctor's recommendation to use marijuana for medical reasons are
supposed to obtain it by growing it themselves, having someone else
grow it for them, or purchase their supply at a state-licensed dispensary.

But there are no dispensaries yet. And state Health Director Will
Humble acknowledged that his agency has no way of knowing where
individuals are getting their supply or even the seeds to start their
own garden.

"We know that the factor of supply and demand is very powerful,"
Padres said.

"We know that when there is a demand, there's going to be a supply,"
he continued. "And we know that these types of substances bring violence."

But Padres said he has to honor the right of Arizona voters to approve
the plan.

"I'm very respectful of the decisions made by other countries," he
said, even with the impact on his country.

Padres said, though, he does not expect the Mexican government to
follow suit.

"I say this as a governor, as a parent, as a senator, a federal
legislator," he said.

The comments came at the end of the summer meeting of the
Arizona-Mexico Commission.

That organization, made up of government and business officials, works
to foster cross-border cooperation and development. Topics this
session include not just traditional economic activity like mining and
aerospace but more mundane activities like promoting hunting trips to
Mexico and dealing with the sale of Mexican real estate to U.S. citizens.

MUTUAL RESPONSIBILITY

But the end-of-session press conference focused more on the issues
that have been a contention between the two states -- and not just
drug trafficking. Gov. Jan Brewer herself set the stage in her closing
comments to the conference.

"I believe a secure border is essential to economic vitality," she
said.

"Safety and security for the citizens of our region, on both sides of
the border, play a vital role in attracting the types of businesses
that Gov. Padres and I spoke of with many of the business leaders,"
Brewer continued. "But I also believe the issue of border security
should not define our enduring relationship."

At the press conference, Padres called border security "a mutual
responsibility."

"It's crucial and vital for the development of our states," he
continued, adding that Sonora is "the safest border state in Mexico."

None of that means that Padres has changed his mind about his
opposition to SB 1070 which Brewer signed in 2010. That law, some
sections of which are currently under review by the U.S. Supreme
Court, is designed to give police more power to detain and arrest
those in the United States illegally.

But his tenor has changed from that year when he canceled that year's
meetings of the Arizona-Mexico Commission in protest.

"I understand the foundation of why this bill was passed by the
governor," Padres explained Friday.

"She's been generous in informing me," he continued. "We've talked
about this thing."

Padres suggested that one reason for his mellowing is that the
legislation has not hurt the residents of his state.

"I have not seen any action taken after this bill, or before this
bill, that has affected any of my fellow citizens that live here," he
said, referring to Mexican nationals in Arizona.

"I don't believe there has been any negative impact," Padres said.
"Our relationship is based upon that."
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