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09-10-10 22:33 #4336
"Medicated Tourism" coming in MX?
Legalization debate gains momentum in Mexico
Legalization, Marijuana News Sep 09
MEXICO CITY – A debate about legalizing marijuana and possibly other drugs – once a taboo suggestion – is percolating in Mexico, a nation exhausted by runaway violence and a deadly drug war.
The debate is only likely to grow more animated if Californians approve a ballot initiative on Nov. 2 to legalize marijuana for recreational use in the state.
Mexicans are keeping a close eye on the Proposition 19 vote, seeing it as a bellwether, Tim Johnson reports for McClatchy Newspapers.
“If they vote ‘yes’ to approve the full legalization of marijuana, I think it will have a radical impact in Mexico,” said Jorge Hernández Tinajero, a political scientist at the National Autonomous University.
Discussion about legalization flew onto the agenda last month, the result of President Felipe Calderón’s pressing need to win more support for waging war against criminal organizations profiting hugely from drug trafficking.
As he held a series of forums with politicians and civic leaders about faltering security, Calderón suddenly found himself amid a groundswell of suggestions that legalization – which he described as “absurd” – should be considered.
Among those throwing their weight behind legalization was former President Vicente Fox, a member of Calderón’s own conservative National Action Party.
“We should consider legalizing the production, distribution and sale of drugs,” Fox wrote on his blog during the forums.
“Legalizing in this sense does not mean that drugs are good or don’t hurt those who consume. Rather, we have to see it as a strategy to strike and break the economic structure that allows the mafias to generate huge profits in their business.”
Calderón immediately said Mexico couldn’t act on its own to legalize.
“If drugs are not legalized in the world, or if drugs are not legalized at least in the United States, this is simply absurd, because the price of drugs is not determined in Mexico. The price of drugs is determined by consumers in Los Angeles, or in New York, or in Chicago or Texas,” he said.
Such public debate would have been largely unthinkable a few years ago. Since Calderón came to office in late 2006, however, a national gloom has descended on Mexico from relentless cartel violence and a death toll topping 28,000. The grim mood has provided fertile ground for public figures who think legalization would undercut the power of the drug cartels.
Among them are business tycoons such as billionaire Ricardo Salinas Pliego, who controls broadcaster TV Azteca, and retailer Grupo Elektra.
With his own pro-legalization statement, Fox aligned with another former president, Ernesto Zedillo, who suggested last year that prohibition isn’t working.
Still, some analysts say debate about legalization – coming most strongly from the political left – was an effort to needle Calderón as much as an exploration of whether legalization is feasible.
Edgardo Buscaglia, an expert on Mexico’s criminal syndicates, said Mexico’s government is too weak to legalize and regulate narcotics and marijuana.
“You need to have regulatory capacity in place,” he said. “Mexico does not even have the capacity to regulate its pharmaceutical products.”
Without a better framework, any move to take away penalties for narcotics would “amount to a subsidy to drug organizations,” he said, as prices and demand remain buoyant for illegal narcotics in the United States and other countries.
Legislators in August 2009 quietly decriminalized the possession of less than 5 grams of marijuana, the equivalent of about four joints. Tiny amounts of cocaine, heroin, Ecstasy, LSD and methamphetamine also are no longer subject to criminal penalties.
Further measures have been blocked, however, such as one before two committees of the Chamber of Deputies to permit the use of marijuana for medical purposes, as 14 U.S. states allow, including California. Others have been put before the Senate, the legislative assembly of Mexico City and a local congress in the state of Mexico.
Hernández Tinajero, the political scientist, said Mexican society may not be ready for such moves, but that the California ballot measure would energize the debate.
“Whatever the result may be, it will have a positive impact on Mexico,” he said, and give way to “a far more serious discussion.”
Experts said they can’t fully weigh arguments about the impact that legalization of marijuana in California might have on this country of 111 million or whether steps toward legalization here would weaken drug syndicates.
That’s because so little is known publicly about the revenue streams of cartels, the extent of production of marijuana, crystal meth and heroin, and the range of revenue from other criminal enterprises.
Counternarcotics officials say several Mexican cartels, particularly La Familia Michoacana, are deeply involved in marijuana production and sales in California.
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09-09-10 06:14 #4335
Can we say reunion???
Looking forward to a great ass monger reunion!
Originally Posted by Artisttyp
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09-09-10 05:24 #4334 Originally Posted by Captain Solo
Yes of course we will meet this time.
* You pose a good question that deserves a good response :
These days most of my trips come out to be the same price. The only difference would be cost of airfare and every now and then hotel costs.
TJ would be $5 a night more expensive for my hotel and between $5/10 more per chica session than medellin. The sex is far better in medellin but that's where it stops. I've posted several times that medellin is about drinking and fucking period....unless you know people can travel without a bathroom or have the money to hire a driver. TJ on the other hand is a fascinating city to me. I totally suck up the vibes. I love seeing the marineros with ski masks the chicas on the streets etc. I have a few other projects I can work on in TJ as well.
When I am in medellin I do my session then what ? I've stayed in the centro for a total of 7 weeks. The other areas are too expensive and don't offer anything different. Lima peru is a great city...not medellin. Eventually I will go back to medellin and combine it with an overdue trip to cali. Cartegena is too expensive and bogota is too high.
This time I really need to get over doing bbbj everytime. I see some really hot indian girls in TJ but I never take advantage due to no butt licking and bbjs. I will try (no promises) to get off without it. I can always get a pig to slurp on me now and then.
What are my chances of getting kisses tit sucking and feet smelling ?
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09-09-10 01:43 #4333
The Return
I will be back Oct 18 until Nov 9. I got a great deal on jet blue for $350 from NYC. Considering I paid $600 + this summer I am thrilled.
I look forward to seeing the regulars.
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09-06-10 11:55 #4332On a Saturday by noon, the line is often shorter since its hot and most have crossed the border in the morning. At 2 or later its typically a 10-15 minute wait. Originally Posted by Kman1
I always plan 3 hours, which is generally good for anyday. The longest line I have been on was 90 minutes at the border on a weekday. You can take a taxi of you are late, versus the train.
I always have a rental and I have never missed a flight from SAN
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09-06-10 11:53 #4331How much is that ? Originally Posted by Hargow20
Cheers
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09-06-10 00:23 #4330Thanks for the clarification!! Originally Posted by Super Gato
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09-05-10 22:44 #4329That's not entirely true. The passport card is a completely separate document and not a copy of the real passport. It was designed as a low cost option for frequent land crossers who didn't need a full paper passport book for their trips back and forth. A passport book is $140+ whatever fees. A passport card is only $50 for non-passport book holders. If it cheaper to renew them both at the same time than to get a passport card now and then get the passport renewal later. For those of us that need a full blown passport book but travel to Mexico often, the passport card is great because it means less wear and tear carrying the passport book, and if your passport card is lost or stolen it has no impact on your ability to travel on your passport book. Originally Posted by Phordphan
You won't need to get a new passport in order to get a passport card. You may also need to pay a rush charge if you go to the passport office for the passport card (you must make an appointment and your travel date must be within two weeks to qualify). That might be worth it to you.
I know they quote a month for passport cards, but I got mine in less than 10 days by mail by applying by mail. YMMV, of course.
A phone call to the passport number at travel.state.gov will help answer all your questions.
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09-05-10 21:44 #4328
Staying in TJ
Living in San Diego, I have the luxury of traveling back and forth from TJ to home. But I have stayed in both La Villa De Zaragoza ($42) and the Ticuan ($55) Hotels. And I would agree with Supersteve that the Ticuan is a great hotel for the money and within walking distance (or short cab ride) of the Zone. I walked during the day and took a cab for $3 bucks in the evening.
The Ticuan is also next to the La Pulgas nightclub for non-pro action, but knowing Spanish would help. I also agree with Supersteve that HK is better during the day and early evening hours. I've been going to HK about twice a week, and usually get there about 3pm and stay until I run out of pesos or dollar bills (whichever comes first), but about from 9-10 on, especially on the weekend, it does become a sausage festival.
The idea of staying in Chula Vista or San Ysidro does not appeal to me, especially when I could stay at one of the hotels I mentioned for the same or for a cheaper price. The Zone is active during the day. The street girls are out and the bars/clubs are open. I guess it is just a matter of comfort level.
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09-05-10 20:35 #4327
If you are staying in the US side and want to party late in TJ get a car, carrentals.com has cheap deals. Even paying one night for a taxi might not be worth it if you missed the train. I think leaving by midnight would be about right to get the last train.
I agree you wont find anything close to Ticuan for the price in Chula vista or surrounding area. I have stayed in about 5 or 6 motels around there and most of them are dumps. The knights Inn or Kings Inn you can see from highway 5 is by far the worst place I have ever stayed, had to leave within a couple of hours. The Vagabond Inn and La Quinta are decent but they would run you upto $85 or more.
On second thoughts you could stay at Ticuan and take day trips to San Diego on the trolley but the border crossing times during the day could be prohibitive.
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09-05-10 13:49 #4326
The last trolley leaving San Ysidro is at 12:59 AM according to their schedule. Depending upon your stop, another 10-15 minutes to get there. Google San Diego Trolley for schedules. I've never tried to cross at that hour, but you wouldn't want to miss it. For me, I would leave the Zona at about mid-night, although maybe someone who actually does this would have better information on what time to actually leave.
When I was there last week, they closed the doors (by the Policia that stands outside) of Adelita's at 3 AM, and it went on like usual, except you had to leave by the back door. We finally left at 4:30 AM.
While I have never stayed at the Chula Vista hotels, IMHO the Ticuan is a nicer hotel than what you will get from the Quality Inn, Best Western, etc. in Chula Vista. Actually for the cost, the Ticuan is one of the best deals I have seen in my world wide mongering. It is nicer than what I pay more for in MDE, or Costa Rica. I do not stay there usually since I pay less, due to only being in a room to sleep, but it is very, very nice. If I were pulling ladies for TLN's, or doing in-calls, I would definitely stay there. The added plus is that it is a 5 minute cab ride from the Zona.
I personally like the Hong Kong much better during the day. There are far fewer guys there, and plenty of women. During the night it can become very hot, and a sausage fest. To each there own......
Health & happiness to all.............
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09-04-10 23:14 #4325
Chula Vista
The Trolley doesnt run very late does it? There might be an issue in getting back to Chula Vista, Unless you can find a taxi have a car. Sorry Btw, im a novice here, but i'll be heading to chula vista to lodge for a TJ trip. How long does HK and Adelitas stay open at nite? Originally Posted by Bunky
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09-04-10 16:53 #4324
Lodging -- Tijuana vs. Chula Vista
Plus one on this sentiment. For me, Tijuana during the day is a depressing scene and I get absolutely nothing out of hanging out there. Obviously, other gents on this forum may disagree. But for my money the best bet is lodging on the U.S. side and "commuting" to the Zona Norte in the evenings. For $55 per night you can rent a nice room within walking distance of the Chula Vista trolley stop at the Best Western South Bay and spend your days in an area that's not quite as sad as Tijuana.Next time I'd just stay in San Diego and only go to TJ at night because besides the zone and the few bars which really get going late afternoons there ain't much else. . . . Ticuan was good for the price ($55).
Regards,
Bunky
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09-04-10 01:50 #4323If I understand the gov't's "Logic" (and I use the term loosely), the card is basically just a "copy" of the "real" passport, but can only be used in certain locales, like MX, CA and the Carribean. I believe that to obtain one you must have a valid, current, passport. Originally Posted by Time4aSpliff
Back in the day they used to renew your passport and give you the old one with some holes punched in it. It was a cool souvenir if you had stamps, visas, etc. But now they keep the old passport. I had to renew mine, and got my card at the same time.
If your PP is expired, I think you're gonna have to pony up for both...
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09-03-10 21:41 #4322
Passport card
If you get both, you will save money. I wish I could answer your questions. My best advice is to do what I did; call them directly. Originally Posted by Time4aSpliff
There is a toll free number, plus a e-mail link:
http://travel.state.gov/passport/npic/npic_898.html
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