The Prosperity of Peace: Ending The War on Marijuana

If marijuana was legalized totally and the government allowed the cultivation, sale, and distribution to take place in a legitimate business manner, the economy would only prosper.  If over twenty million people are trying marijuana for the first time each year as discussed before, then the market must be insatiable.  The market is so huge that billions of dollars and manpower could not stop the demand and distribution.  All of that money and prosperity could benefit everyone if it were just accepted. 

The main restriction is that the United States could not allow the importation of marijuana from countries that also have marijuana as an illegal substance.  So enforcement would still be needed to prevent foreign products from entering the market, unless they are also legal.  Such is the problem of countries such as the Netherlands, were drugs are not totally legal, but rather tolerated for sale and use.  The problem with that is that stores that sell marijuana will go to illegal sources for better product rather than using what the diluted product allowed by the government. (Citation)  If the government just allowed the business to run as it does illegally, then there would be no problem.  As the famous philosopher Confucius said, “The more laws you have the more criminals you have”.  So why do more than is necessary?

This would not create much if any job loss in government positions, but rather allow for a more focused effort on stopping truly harmful drugs such as cocaine instead.  The opportunity cost of abandoning the campaign against marijuana added into the potential fiscal profits from its legalization would allow for a redirection and more effective battle against truly harmful hard drugs.