Look at it this way.
When prohibition ended, it legalized the bootleggers.
As gambling was mainstreamed into our economy, it legitimized the Mafia. In fact the State makes more $$$ from gambling than the Mafia ever did.
And when drugs are legalized??? It will turn MS-13 into bona fide businessmen here in the US.
Prof. Miron has much to say about the savings legalized dope will bring us.
Funny, I see no figures about the loss of productivity when millions of US citizens are turned into addicts overnight. And of the costs of building new prisons to house the millions of Americans who turn to crime as drug addicts do.
And of the costs of building new prisons to house the millions of Americans who turn to crime as drug addicts do.
This is a specious argument. If this were the case, and being that alcohol is such an addictive substance, where are the tens of thousands of jailed prisoners who turned to crime for that "taste of the grape"? And, with cigarettes going to $5.00(is this right?) plus a pack, the prisons should be filled to capacity with cigarette junkies who can't afford their next puff.
There are always those who will turn to crime for what they want, when they want it. And while I agree some harder drugs (the opiates in particular) can be highly physically addictive, jailing pot users is ridiculous and a crazy use of taxpayer funds.
Kennedy had political connections, if we assume he was a rum runner; so the common gang MS-13..and they are just murdering punks..will not fall under governmental guidelines for distribution. If they did attempt so their income would be drastically reduced and their positions so minor. Why buy from MS-13 when you can get it from a Kennedy type guy, or Budweiser guy, a Board of Directors etc. The home brewed/grown stuff has no interest to the marketplace.
The reality is that the present war on drugs will never end, the way it has been run up to this point now. There is too much money involved - corrupting officials that swore to "serve and protect" on both sides of the border. Should you pay cops more would be another issue for later discussion.
Just a realist here. It's all about Big Business and its' ability to either succeed or fail. Leaves no room "for forced terror tactics" as before. MS-13 punks would be taken out by the economics.
Once you can legally have it..the thrill/ the edge is gone.