s to increase even though tougher laws have been passed. Next, the criminal drug market will dry up. The market for drugs is one of supply and demand and people demand illegal drugs. Organized crime has moved in to fill this vacuum and is making billions of dollars. Legislation will force organized crime from the drug business. In return, the government can regulate the market by licensing, enacting laws on sales to minors, and monitor the quality of the product. Besides that, taxes similar to alcohol and tobacco, could be implemented bringing in billions of dollars.Crime would be dramatically reduced by legalization. Most of the violence associated with illegal drug dealing is caused by its illegality and disputes over territory. Dependent users would not have to resort to crime to get their supply since it will be regulated and the price lowered. Since they are often cheated by street drug dealers they would be less likely to need extra money through crime to try another buy to get what they want. Our legal system would be freed up and our prison population dramatically reduced saving billions and leaving law enforcement to catch and prosecute violent criminals. This would be similar to the cigarette market. Smokers do not have to steal to support their habits. Critics complain that this will cause a nation of drug addicts, but this is a half truth. Remember that most users prefer the low dosage that doesnt interfere with their personal lives. Face it, a drug dealer faced with killing a cop or 25 years in jail for drug distribution may prefer to kill the cop. 7Legalization will send the message that drug use is normal and that its a social issue, not a criminal justice one. How it is dealt with is up to the society. We must face the fact that drug use is already up among every age group and that legislati...
