Article

The Impact of State-Level US Legalization Initiatives on Illegal Drug Flows

By Vivian Mateos Zúñiga & David Shirk on February 4, 2022

This research is part of a work-in-progress for the Justice in Mexico Program at the University of San Diego and the Mexico Institute at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars. Please do not cite without the authors' permission.

Lab instruments containing cannabis. — Image Credit

Documents & Downloads

Working Paper - The Impact of State-Level US Legalization Initiatives on Illegal Drug FlowsDownload

About the Authors

Vivian Mateos Zúñiga

Program Assistant, Justice in Mexico

David Shirk

David Shirk

Global Fellow;
Professor and Graduate Director, Department of Political Science and International Relations, University of San Diego; Director, "Justice in Mexico" Project

Mexico Institute

The Mexico Institute seeks to improve understanding, communication, and cooperation between Mexico and the United States by promoting original research, encouraging public discussion, and proposing policy options for enhancing the bilateral relationship. A binational Advisory Board, chaired by Luis Téllez and Earl Anthony Wayne, oversees the work of the Mexico Institute. Read more

Explore More

Browse Insights & Analysis

fentanyl molecule 3d, molecular structure, ball and stick model, structural chemical formula opiate agonists

Border Security

Fentanyl Seizures at the Southwest Border: A Breakdown by CBP Areas of Responsibility

By Aldrin Ballesteros on August 29, 2023

Afghan Poppy Field

Opium Poppy Cultivation in Afghanistan Appears To Be Declining—At a Cost

By Ambassador Mark A. Green on August 23, 2022

Venezuelan Refugee family asking for money

Venezuelan Poverty, Afghan Opium, and Russian Permafrost

By Ambassador Mark A. Green on October 18, 2021

Security and Defense

US–Mexico Counter-Narcotics Cooperation: Time for a New Approach

By Alejandro Hope on March 16, 2021

Weekly Asado image 2_19_21

Marijuana: Made in Uruguay

By Mayra Iglesias on February 19, 2021

Publication Front Cover

Report | Re-Building a Complex Partnership: The Outlook for US-Mexico Relations under the Biden Administration

By Andrew I. Rudman

Publication cover

Fulfilling North America's Promise

By Earl Anthony Wayne

Publication Cover

Putting Citizens' Security First: Towards a New Chapter in US-Mexico Security Cooperation

By Gema Kloppe-Santamaría

The Expert Take

Security and Defense

The Cienfuegos Case is now in Mexico’s Court

By Earl Anthony Wayne on November 30, 2020

The Expert Take

Security and Defense

El caso Cienfuegos: la gran prueba para el sistema judicial de México

By Earl Anthony Wayne on November 30, 2020

US and Mexico flags

Security and Defense

Arrests Should Boost US-Mexico Cooperation Against Drug Trafficking

By Earl Anthony Wayne on October 22, 2020

Rohingyan women in Bangladesh

New Security Beat

Rohingya Refugees Smuggle Drugs for Insurgents in Myanmar

Share