Would it be more profitable for drug cartels to switch to growing corn and producing ethynol for cars?

Answer 1

No. The drug industry is the most profitable in the U.S.

Answer 2

Not as long as the government has its war on drugs. It artificially raises the price of drugs to compensate, makes me think that somebody in higher power might be involved and keeping the price up for their own profit, like the cost of oil.

Answer 3

No. Drugs are enormously profitable. The people who grow the plants that drugs come from earn a pittance. So the people at the top (who are well hidden) make all the money.

Answer 4

There is much more profit in drugs and a lower overhead. I don't see the drug cartels becoming farmers. We couldn't afford their prices anyway.

Answer 5

Profit margins on Drugs is a 1000% or more. Very much doubt it.

Answer 6

Great idea, but it would never be allowed to happen. Governments, Customs, DEA and Police are making way too much for them to ever agree to this. Legalising drugs would also greatly dent their profits, hence they prefer to keep them illegal.

Answer 7

It would certainly be less risky and they would save a lot of money on guards, guns, and lawyers. But I don't think they'd be interested in going legit. Living on the edge is a drug all by itself!

Answer 8

The current bribes paid in Mexico (to officials) are about $15.00 a pound ...so just in bribes that about $80,000,000 in money spent...not the street value.....so we are looking at hundreds of millions of dollars.....check the price of corn.....a few cents a pound. It would take many arable acres to equal the value of a few marijuana plants.

Answer 9

No. Protectionism would keep many of the profitable markets for these commodities closed to them.