Mexico has served as a global source for cannabis for many decades. For better or worse, illegal cannabis has long been an export from our southern neighbors.
However, global shifts and a landmark court decision in Mexico are changing things. As more states in the U.S. and more countries around the world reform their cannabis laws, the demand for illegal cannabis from Mexico is trending downward.
Cannabis that is illegally exported out of Mexico is often seen as being less desirable by consumers than domestic options where they exist, so as legal domestic options increase, demand for illegal cannabis from Mexico decreases.
In late 2018, Mexico’s Supreme Court ruled that cannabis prohibition was unconstitutional and tasked lawmakers with passing adult-use cannabis legalization legislation.
The court decision and the spread of cannabis reform are combining forces that will dramatically change the cannabis landscape in the coming years. New cannabis genetics are on the way to the country, which will contribute even further to Mexico’s cannabis evolution.
Mexico Issues First Permit Of Its Kind
Regulators in Mexico recently issued the first permit in the country’s history for an entity to be able to import cannabis seeds.
Mexico United Against Crime (MUCD) has reported that it is the first to obtain a legal import permit and will start importing cannabis seeds from other countries. The company reported having to pay 170 thousand pesos for the permit.
It is unclear what strains of seeds the company is planning on importing and it is also unclear at this time if/when more import permits will be issued.
With that being said, new genetics are on the way, and it will be very interesting to see what quality and types of cannabis flower will become popular in their emerging cannabis market, as well as what types of legal exports will come out of the country eventually.
Boosting Mexico’s Cannabis Industry’s Chances
Cannabis grows very well in South America, and resources, including labor, are cheaper compared to a lot of other countries. Mexico could very well become one of the top legal cannabis producers on the planet in the near future as a result.
Just as Mexico has served as a top source for illegal cannabis, it is well positioned to do the same in the legal arena. However, its success will be determined by many factors.
It is no secret that organized crime and cartels are rampant, and that breeds corruption. The country has a chance to right a lot of wrongs and take cartels head-on via cannabis legalization.
Only time will tell if things or done properly or if corruption will infest Mexico’s legal cannabis industry.
Their cannabis industry receiving new genetics will help in the effort to fight organized crime by giving the legal industry new strains to develop and market. Illegal cannabis is not tested and claims about genetics are always suspect. A regulated industry has an advantage from that perspective and increased legal options are always a good thing.
