ryday. The National Household Survey on Drug Abuse found that the number of first-time marijuana users in 1998 was 2.3 million. This number increased significantly compared to 1.4 million in 1989 (DEA). These figurers alone show that money spent on enforcement has had no effect. President Ronald Reagan said it best, “Despite continuing expressions of determination, America’s war on drugs seems nowhere close to success.”(Intoxication p.317) In addition to the cost of enforcement, the cost associated with imprisonment of drug offenders is high. For example, as of December 31, 1998, there were 22,386 drug offenders in New York prisons, about 33% of the prison population. The costs of incarcerating these drug offenders rose to a staggering $715 million per year. Furthermore, nearly 80% of these prisoners were never convicted of a violent felony. Drug offenders take up much needed space in prisons, allowing rapists and murderers to be released early because of over-population problems (Issue).Another cost not included in the drug enforcement price tag is fact that perhaps most of these offenders were employed full time, prior to incarceration. The average yearly household income in America is $40 thousand (Census). Much of this money is spent on taxes, rent, utilities, food, entertainment, and other necessities. When an employed drug offender goes to jail, it not only costs money to imprison them, but or communities loose out on the revenue from the offender, as well.Not only would legalizing marijuana free up billions of dollars spent on enforcement, it would also increase our country’s revenue. First, the sale of marijuana could be taxed. Right now, drug dealing is a tax-free operation. In 1990, it is estimated that United States consumers spent $9 billion on consumption of marijuana (Cannabis Use In The United States). If cannabis was legalized, and corporate taxes were applied at a flat rate of 35% (...
