Mexico: packets of pre-rolled gaskets available for sale

While Mexico is in the midst of a debate over full legalization, some haven’t waited for the new government’s green light to get into the business. The company THC Crew has just launched its brand Flor de Caña and offers, among other things, packs of pre-rolled joints. The brand also includes chocolates, balms, and ointments.

A product that's almost legal

Production is entirely artisanal; the plants are grown by THC Crew from the seeds of SensiSeeds and the joints are rolled and packaged by the crew without any additional ingredients. The team emphasizes that their intention is not to replace street dealers but rather to cater to connoisseurs by offering them a new product that is convenient, elegant, and guaranteed to be of high quality. According to an interview with Vice Mexico, the entrepreneurs explain that the product is already doing very well: «The response to the product has been incredible. »We launched it 10 days ago and have sold over 120 packs. Plus, we already have an order for 700, but since we roll the joints ourselves, it takes time.”.

For now THC Crew is handling all of the production but plans, as the product gains traction, to bring in other growers. The team members are proud to be pioneers and expect competition to skyrocket: «I know I have about six months before other Mexicans start doing the same thing, which is why I’m already thinking about what we’ll do next.».

It seems, however, that the company has largely anticipated the legalization and regulation of the market. If the brand is the first of its kind, it’s precisely because cannabis is still not legal in Mexico. However, possession of up to 3.5 grams is decriminalized. That is the exact amount contained in each package sold, and that is how THC Crew assures its customers that they won’t run into trouble with the police. On the other hand, they themselves could run into trouble, given that the cannabis trade is currently illegal. Nevertheless, this initiative—by sparking competition and giving rise to similar initiatives—is likely to create the market and accelerate its regulation and, consequently, its legalization.

It would indeed be strange for the government to crack down on such initiatives and criminalize entrepreneurs when it has announced that it is considering full legalization and that Such initiatives are in line with the goal he has set for himself to wipe out the black market. Local, responsible production by a group of entrepreneurs is, in fact, a radical way to compete with drug trafficking. Especially since another voice within the government has just spoken out in favor of legalization.

The Minister of Public Safety on Legalization

While Interior Minister Olga Sanchez Cordero, had already come out in favor of full legalization, it is now Alfonso Durazo, Minister of Public Security, who is taking a stand in favor of it. As part of the forum on drug policy and national pacification he said: «I am a liberal and I believe in freedom; I think we should give people the freedom to use drugs or not; I support the legalization of drugs and their recreational and medical use.».

He clarifies, however, that this comment reflects his personal opinion and does not represent the government’s position. The president-elect remains undecided on this issue, but the fact that two of his senior advisors—members of his executive cabinet—are coming out in favor of legalization is nonetheless significant. Olga Sanchez Cordero has been tasked with presenting a bill on the subject to the president.

The forum aims to foster discussion on legalization, and a group of experts is already working on presenting proposals: «We will address drug policies and peacebuilding to determine what policy will best serve the process of peacebuilding and national reconciliation. There are 50 experts, and the proposals on the table that generate the broadest consensus will be the ones most likely to become public policy.».