Mexican Drug Cartels Begin Supplying Marijuana Concentrate to the U.S.

Mexican drug cartels have started supplying a new product to the American black market—marijuana concentrate containing over 80% THC. The extract is smuggled across the border in 5-gallon (19-liter) containers.

THC Liquid Used in Vape Cartridges

Detective Matthew Shea from Maricopa County reported that traffickers who previously imported marijuana are now transporting marijuana concentrate. Cartels use modern extraction technologies involving butane or CO2 to obtain the cannabinoid. Marijuana with 6% THC is distilled and filtered, resulting in an oily liquid with a tetrahydrocannabinol concentration of more than 80%.

According to Shea, 113 kilograms (about 250 pounds) of low-quality marijuana can produce 19 liters of concentrate. This amount of extract is enough to fill vape cartridges worth over $500,000. To increase profits, American drug dealers add various ingredients to the liquid, including vitamin E acetate, which can cause respiratory illnesses.

Shea believes the appearance of marijuana extract on the market is due to the growing popularity of electronic cigarettes. He notes that most Americans prefer to use concentrate and rarely smoke marijuana. The detective warns that vape mixtures bought from illegal sellers are dangerous to health. However, scientists have not yet proven that the vaping epidemic in North America was caused by uncertified liquids.

Marijuana Legalization Hurts Drug Traffickers’ Profits

David Bier, an analyst at the Cato Institute, stated that between 2003 and 2009, the U.S. Border Patrol doubled its staff along the Mexican border and built over 600 miles (965 kilometers) of fencing. Despite these efforts, the amount of marijuana seized per border agent increased from 9 to 57 kilograms per year. However, after marijuana was legalized in Colorado and Washington in 2014, this figure dropped to 42 kilograms. The removal of marijuana bans in other U.S. states led to a further decrease, with only 11 kilograms seized per agent in 2018.

Bier is convinced that strengthening border control is an ineffective way to fight smugglers. Instead, he suggests legalizing marijuana at the federal level to create a regulated market. Nevertheless, lifting the ban on marijuana will not solve the problem of drug smuggling entirely, as cartels will continue to profit from trafficking other illegal substances. Experts note that from 2014 to 2018, the volume of cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, and fentanyl shipments from Mexico to the U.S. increased by 18%.