I think you lack sufficient understanding of addiction and what it does to the mind and how those around them suffer. It is not a self inflicted only blight...it affects many people around those who suffer addiction.
Legalization will undoubtedly result in increase in abuse, crime, addiction, etc. Libertarians want to pretend that the world is run by man’s perfect reasoning (libertarianism) but in reality, libertarian philosophy makes the exact same mistakes ultimately that Nazism, Communism, etc. make. The negate God from their consideration.
Illegal cigarettes are not really a suitable case study for drugs which alter minds. You probably should read some information on how addiction to drugs (including alcohol) impacts the minds of those afflicted. I think you will maybe alter your stance on this subject.
BTW, I would be for making alcohol illegal...gasp!!! LOL
The vast majority of those who do crime do have drugs or alcohol in their system...
What is not measured in crime are the broken homes, the cheating of spouses, the abuse in the home, etc. that drugs and alcohol causes. Not to mention the impact it has on children who are raised in this unhealthy atmosphere.
If I quit my job to pursue my dream of being a professional competitive surfer, that affects many people around me ... but it's none of the government's business. The test for legitimacy of government compulsion is not "effect" but the much narrower "violation of rights" - which drug sale and use are, in and of themselves, not.
legalization (without overtaxation or overregulation) will lower the price of a fix and thus the crime needed to pay for it.
Legalization will undoubtedly result in increase in abuse, crime
So you claim - with no rebuttal for my point above. Advantage, me.
Illegal cigarettes are a factor only in those liberal cities that tax them astronomically; if legal-pot states don't excessively tax or restrict market entry, illegal pot will eventually be about as big as illegal alcohol.
Illegal cigarettes are not really a suitable case study for drugs which alter minds.
My economic argument applies to any desired product, mind-altering or not. And alcohol is a drug which alters minds - yet is not sold illegally (to any significant extent) because it's available legally.
I would be for making alcohol illegal
We tried that already and found it did more harm than good: Alcohol Prohibition Was A Failure.
the vast majority of those who do violent crime have some drug/alcohol in their blood system.
The vast majority of those who have some drug/alcohol in their blood system don't do violent crime.
The vast majority of those who do crime do have drugs or alcohol in their system...
You do, I hope, understand that your statement does not contradict mine?