Cannabis Legalization Coming To Nicaragua Thanks To President’s Son?

Thanks to the advent and development of the Internet, attacks and defenses between Honduras and Nicaragua have not gone unnoticed. The two Central American countries and El Salvador became the scene of a terrible war called Iran Contra.

For those unfamiliar with the battle, the summary, at least from a North American perspective, is that it was similar to Vietnam. Just south of the Mexican border, the war produced many actors with immortal titles, plenty of ammunition, and considerable violence. The battle had a great negative impact on the cities, and vegetation and many lives were lost.

Like most wars, it was a bloody war, with all sides being blamed for various problems. However, there are said to have been fewer human rights violations on the Nicaraguan side. On a global level, various countries took sides and the Reagan administration was recognized for fully supporting the contras, both covertly and illegally, through illicit drug trafficking.

On the other hand, the current president of Nicaragua, Daniel Ortega, led the resistance in his state. Against all odds, he managed to have grown children and was able to become president by election.

Back to the present, and in this unprecedented and one-of-a-kind cannabis legalization story, one of Ortega’s sons proposes cannabis legalization. He believes the discussion should be at the federal level and the government should see how well it can capitalize on such a move.

Aside from the father-son motif, there are many ironies. This is because both sides of Nicaragua and El Salvador were reported during the war for illegal drug operations funding the civil war. It turns out the Russians may not have been secretly funding Ortega after all. At the Soviet political level, however, no questions were asked about the criminal and corrupt drug trade or the exchange of weapons for drugs.

The fact that cannabis legalization is now starting in the same week in both Honduras and Nicaragua speaks volumes about the attitude of international bodies. Now it is not out of place to question the direction of both the old and new drug wars

journey down

The writing on the wall regarding the legalization of recreational cannabis became apparent nearly a decade ago, after Uruguay legalized recreational cannabis. Today, cannabis reforms are having a drastic impact on various economies around the world. And while Central America’s climate is ideal for growing cannabis, there are concerns that it will lead to a rapid disappearance of rainforests.

Honduras has put outdoor cannabis cultivation on the table, but the biggest problem the country now faces is the rapid deforestation of its rainforest. This dilemma also applies to Nicaragua, although there are large differences between countries. In Honduras, the district’s first female president is currently receiving mixed advice from her vice president and husband (ex-president) on the subject.

In Nicaragua, Vice President Rosario Murillo’s son and Juan Ortega Murillo have openly stated that their reform and legalization of cannabis would serve the well-being and interests of citizens. This is an indication that the government sees an opportunity to establish a regulated industry in the country.

self-sufficiency in agriculture

Another intriguing point is that cannabis production would outpace the production of self-sufficient food growing. This point was raised in view of the food security in the country, as food sovereignty is a key goal of the administration. Considering that global grain and cooking oil prices are starting to rise as a result of the war in Ukraine, the issue of food security cannot be overlooked.

Frankly, given the deep-seated economic problems facing several countries, this question is a very difficult one to answer. While this question has taken various forms in North America, Canada and the United States, the question of how to control energy and water demand must be answered.

Certainly it will be very difficult to regulate a small cannabis grower who grows a micro garden for personal and family use. The recreational or medicinal use of cannabis should not be denied to those in need, and this is the case in several Western countries. Still, this is a discussion for another time.

As for the large-scale cultivation of cannabis in the rainforest, most of these activities will reportedly be illegal. And most importantly, they are causing major short- and long-term damage to rainforests around the world. The cultivation of cannabis in the rainforest is said to be rapidly shrinking and reducing the rainforest, which threatens the biodiversity of the ecosystem. Having said that, it is truly remarkable that this concern about the rainforest is voiced even at the heart of various global crises and wars.

Possibly the ruderalis cannabis species can be introduced to contain the underprivileged, and more people can be encouraged to take advantage of pristine land and other resources made available. Unfortunately, this argument has been lost time and again in the past.

Achieving a global and environmentally sustainable ecosystem

The struggle for reforms in Latin and Central America has begun to raise difficult questions like no other place. Most importantly, these questions are now being asked on the more prominent stage that the industry has avoided so much in recent years. Hopefully the right answers will come and a way forward will be found.

While cannabis legalization is truly a long overdue global emergency, especially at this time, it is critical that countries do not destroy their economies and environments for cannabis plant production. Especially as cannabis is being commercialized rapidly around the world.

Conclusion

History has it that many trade deals and bloody and long wars were fought for access to multiple valuable resources. Cannabis, despite its healing and medicinal properties, should not be a resource to be fought over.