rtamerica:

Role reversal: US weed now being smuggled into Mexico

While more states consider legalizing marijuana, an interesting and unintended consequence is coming into view: weed grown in the United States is increasingly being smuggled into Mexico, instead of the other way around.

Mexico used to supply the vast majority of marijuana in the United States, but that situation is slowly changing due to legalization efforts in America. Interestingly, though, it’s not just Americans who want to get their hands on weed Made in the USA – its superior quality is catching the eyes of Mexican drug cartels.

In a story by National Public Radio, the Drug Enforcement Administration said home-grown pot is being transferred to Mexico, where it’s being sold to anyone who can afford the premium price.

“It makes sense," DEA spokesman Lawrence Payne said. "We know the cartels are already smuggling cash into Mexico. If you can buy some really high-quality weed here, why not smuggle it south, too, and sell it at a premium?”

In fact, the potency of American-made pot (normally with 10-20 percent THC content) is significantly stronger than the cannabis grown in Mexico (3-8 percent). With demand for Mexican-grown pot shrinking, profit margins are plummeting as well.