Calmando PreocupaZIHones

So even if recreational drugs were legalized, the cartels could probably undercut the pricing. If the drugs were free, then the cartels could rely on their lucrative “protection” market. It’s not likely they are going away anytime soon. I think it’s a huge problem for the tourist industry here. It really doesn’t matter if it is actually safe here. What matters is the tourists perception of safety. If I think it’s unsafe here, (whether or not it actually is) I’m going elsewhere.

No mafias are getting rich undercutting legal alcohol sales. When their main source of income is removed, they're just another criminal gang that can be dealt with. The cartels are only kept relevant because of the narco trade, though they have smartly moved into mined minerals and real estate, as any good money launderer knows to do. The problem still remains the lack of professional municipal police because of corrupt local governments.

The only reason Zihuatanejo is in play is because it's a port where jerry cans of fuel can be taken out to passing vessels on their way to destinations further north. Drugs don't come into or out of Zihuatanejo by boat.

The protection market is collapsing when and where it's being dealt with. If only our municipal government were participating actively in the solution...