Mexico’s President, Andrés Manuel López Obrador, frequently talked throughout his campaign about all the resources Mexico has wasted on enforcing marijuana prohibition.

Marijuana regulation is gaining more support from Mexican citizens who have suffered from the violence stemming from the War on Drugs and narcotrafficking.

Since 2006, Mexico’s deadly Drug War has created regional instability through the militarization of the police and targeted efforts to destroy drug cartels. This government strategy has led to the deaths and displacement of Mexican citizens and created an unstable situation along the US-Mexico border as thousands of drug war refugees attempt to cross north every year.

Through regulating marijuana, Mexico and the U.S. can take a step towards repairing the damage the War on Drugs has caused both countries.

The United States should welcome such policy change for our neighbors.

Recently, three US lawmakers visited Mexico to discuss marijuana policy with the incoming President: Representatives Vincente Gonzalez (D-TX) and Ruben Kihuen (D-NV) along with Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-LA). They discussed the economic, social, and security benefits marijuana legalization has brought to the U.S., and how similar changes in Mexico could help both countries.

Us American constituents welcome similar dialogues from other US policymakers and invite them to join SSDP members in the U.S. and Mexico in calling for marijuana regulation.