Mexico’s long and violent war on drugs, including marijuana, has given rise to powerful rival drug cartels. Despite the United States’ changing attitudes toward marijuana and its decreasing reliance on Mexican imports, Mexican narcotraffickers still make money from kidnapping and extortion. Experts say this problem is unlikely to change, regardless of whether marijuana is legalized within Mexico.

📬 Sign up for the Daily Brief

Our free, fast, and fun briefing on the global economy, delivered every weekday morning.