The Department of Justice sent a memo on Monday to all its prosecutors regarding federal prosecution of marijuana cases in States that have legalized the use of medical marijuana. From the memo:
One timely example underscores the importance of our efforts to reduce and eventually eliminate the prosecution of marijuana offenses: marijuana distribution in the United States remains the single largest source of revenue for the Mexican cartels. Since 90 to 95% of the cost of marijuana is directly attributable to its criminalization, rather than to the plant itself, refusing to prosecute marijuana offenders will deny criminal organizations worldwide a substantial part of their income.
No, no no. I’m kidding, of course. Here’s what it really says:
One timely example underscores the importance of our efforts to prosecute significant marijuana traffickers: marijuana distribution in the United States remains the single largest source of revenue for the Mexican cartels.
Sigh.