Ex-President Vicente Fox Supports Marijuana Legalization as Anti-Cartel Measure Sapa-AFP
go to original June 6, 2013

Former President of Mexico Vicente Fox has backed ex-Microsoft businessman Jamen Shively's plans to create the first legal "Big Marijuana" business. (AssociatedPress)

GUANAJUATO, Mexico - Former president Vicente Fox said on Wednesday that Mexico should legalize marijuana and steal business back from violent drug cartels - and when it's legal, he's in (as a grower).

“Once it is legitimate and legal, of course, I do some farming. I can do it myself,” the conservative former leader said from his ranch in San Francisco del Rincon.

Fox, a former Coca-Cola executive who was president from 2000-2006, surprised many when he was among early voices in Mexico calling for illegal drugs to be legalised, seeing it as the only way to break the cycle of violent crime.

“Mexico should become an authorised producer, and export marijuana to places where it is already legal,” argued Fox, who is part of a group of former Latin American leaders pushing for drug legalisation opposed by the United States.

More than 70 000 people were killed in six years of drug-related violence after former president Felipe Calderon launched an all-out war against the nation's drug gangs upon taking office in December 2006, according to government data.

“This country's incredibly serious problem - violence, crime and drugs - can be solved by legalising drugs. Trying to solve it with repression or violence just fosters more violence,” Fox said.

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