Mexican Farmers Aim to Create the Country’s First “Canna-City”
On July 9, Mexican farmers and supporters of cannabis legalization held a protest, demanding that authorities grant them licenses to cultivate cannabis. The farmers want to transform their hometown of Tetecala into the country’s first “canna-city.”
Cannabis as a Profitable Crop
The residents of Tetecala have traditionally grown sugarcane, but they decided to switch to cannabis cultivation to increase their income. According to the farmers, cannabis is more profitable because it can be used to produce high-value medicinal and recreational products. Additionally, opening cannabis farms could attract tourists to the region.
The Association of Farmers and Landowners of Tetecala sent a letter to Marco Cuevas, the Minister of Health of the state of Morelos, and to the State Health Commission, requesting permission to cultivate cannabis. Their request was denied, with authorities stating that issuing licenses is a federal matter. As a result, farmers and activists organized a protest in Cuernavaca, gathering outside the Ministry of Health building with cannabis plants in hand and joints in their mouths.
Protest in Cuernavaca
Alejandro Arellano, the association’s spokesperson, explained the goals of the protest: “We want a license to grow cannabis because we know how to cultivate plants. There should be no middlemen in this field. People who grow cannabis should be allowed to process their harvest, produce finished goods, and sell them on local and international markets. Cannabis is legal in many countries and regions of the U.S., which have become major suppliers of cannabis products. We will either follow their example or be left out of a profitable industry.”
Hard Times for Mexican Cannabis Growers
After cannabis was legalized in several U.S. states, Americans stopped buying Mexican cannabis. In fact, the direction of cannabis trade has reversed: Americans are now actively importing cannabinoid products purchased in legal stores into Mexico. The price difference can reach 300%, allowing smugglers to make significant profits. They buy cannabis in California for $5.40 per gram and resell it in Mexico for $17.90 per gram.
Even Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador has taken notice of the farmers’ problems. He is concerned that residents of regions where cannabis is grown illegally will be left without a livelihood due to the drop in exports to the U.S.
Legalization Efforts and Future Prospects
In June, the Supreme Court allowed adult Mexicans to grow and possess cannabis. However, the sale of cannabinoid products remains prohibited. This fall, lawmakers plan to consider a bill to regulate cannabis sales and create a legal cannabis industry. In the spring, officials failed to agree on the bill’s provisions, but legalization supporters believe the Supreme Court’s decision will push lawmakers toward a consensus.