> Why doesn't Mexico just legalize heroin and cocaine distribution?
Well, aside from treaty obligations and public opinion, because...
> Wouldn't this put an end to the cartels?
Maybe, and the cartels own a lot of the politicians, and can kill a lot of the rest on a whim. And Mexican legalization would weaken the cartels over the long term by enabling new entrants, but wouldn't destroy their power overnight, before they were able to inflict punishment.
And legalizing would also weaken the government, as a lot of US aid is dependent on anti-drug cooperation. And that impact would be a lot quicker than the impact to the cartels.
Well, aside from treaty obligations and public opinion, because...
> Wouldn't this put an end to the cartels?
Maybe, and the cartels own a lot of the politicians, and can kill a lot of the rest on a whim. And Mexican legalization would weaken the cartels over the long term by enabling new entrants, but wouldn't destroy their power overnight, before they were able to inflict punishment.
And legalizing would also weaken the government, as a lot of US aid is dependent on anti-drug cooperation. And that impact would be a lot quicker than the impact to the cartels.