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Many of the problems would be resolved by legalization. For one thing the drug cartels would lose because there would no longer be enough profit to support their operations. They have to pay for private armies and bribe lots of people to stay in business. If the price drops like booze did after prohibition they could not sustain operations. They would no longer be the source of drugs. Legitimate businesses would force them out because they could supply a superior product for far less money.

The Mexican drug cartels are a billion dollar industry. The Mexican government is powerless to stop them. Do you think the US government can control them? Do you think the US could enforce price controls on drugs? Why would they? This is still a free market economy and if legal, idiots will still pay a hundred bucks for a hit. AND the government will happily add an exorbitant sales tax (like cigarettes) on top of that. We already know there will be no one else to provide dangerous drugs if legalized. Do you think Big Pharma will suddenly start mass producing meth and cocaine? No, as we know, if legalized, The Cartels will incorporate into legitimate industries and the US will happily begin collecting taxes. Legal or illegal - the cartels win.

Well, what if the point is not to win? There is far too much money to be made by not winning and keeping the war funded. Too much power and control to lose. What do you want a free society or something? The border issue is the root of many problems and perhaps, just perhaps it might be better controlled without lots of money changing hands to look the other way.

I get it. You maintain the gubmint benefits from the WOD. Its all about power and control. Yet we know (from ending Prohibition) that legalization will ONLY INCREASE the power and control of government in our personal lives. How many thousands of laws are there now on the books regulating the sale of alcohol? When it can be sold? To whom it can be sold? What taxes (very important) can be assesssed? What fines and punishments are placed on violators? And on and on we go. Legalizing drugs is a liberal wet dream. That means they get to GROW the size of government and INCREASE the tax (and spending) revenue.

If you think the gubmint benefits (and they do) now, just wait till its legal. I call your attention to today's news from Seattle where extra police on duty to CONTROL the new marijuana laws.

The Mexican drug cartels are a billion dollar industry. The Mexican government is powerless to stop them. Do you think the US government can control them?

No, but under legalization more skilled legal businessmen can outcompete them - as happened in the market for the drug alcohol when Prohibition was ended.

Do you think the US could enforce price controls on drugs?

No, but under legalization increased competition will drive down prices.

Why would they? This is still a free market economy and if legal, idiots will still pay a hundred bucks for a hit.

Or even more happily pay less - as increased competition will allow them to.

AND the government will happily add an exorbitant sales tax (like cigarettes) on top of that.

Or a less exorbitant sales tax like that on alcohol. And either way, that tax can be avoided by not buying the product, which is more than you can say for the income taxes I pay to fund the War On Drugs.

We already know there will be no one else to provide dangerous drugs if legalized. Do you think Big Pharma will suddenly start mass producing meth and cocaine? No

Why not?

Yet we know (from ending Prohibition) that legalization will ONLY INCREASE the power and control of government in our personal lives. How many thousands of laws are there now on the books regulating the sale of alcohol? When it can be sold? To whom it can be sold? What taxes (very important) can be assesssed? What fines and punishments are placed on violators? And on and on we go.

Those don't add up to more power and control of government in my personal life than the War On Drugs.

That means they get to GROW the size of government

Where is the evidence that regulation takes more government than prohibition?

and INCREASE the tax (and spending) revenue.

By your "logic" we should ban all taxable goods and services.

If you think the gubmint benefits (and they do) now, just wait till its legal. I call your attention to today's news from Seattle where extra police on duty to CONTROL the new marijuana laws.

I see no evidence for your claim here: https://www.google.com/search?q=seattle+police+marijuana&tbm=nws

Do you think the US government can control them? Do you think the US could enforce price controls on drugs? Why would they? This is still a free market economy and if legal, idiots will still pay a hundred bucks for a hit.

You have made a very effective argument against yourself. If it was a free market the US could no longer keep the prices propped up. Driven by a free market, prices would crash. The US is in effect keeping the prices high and profits even higher with the current policy.

I get it. You maintain the gubmint benefits from the WOD.

It does

Yet we know (from ending Prohibition) that legalization will ONLY INCREASE the power and control of government in our personal lives.

Please cite one example of a dynamic entry in the last ten years to bring to justice a dangerous gang of Moet Chandon distributors or Glenlivit pushers. What unconstitutional asset asset forfeiture laws have been passed to stop this out of control nuisance? How many dogs have been shot or houses burned down to protect the kids from breaking into the family liquor stash?