everytime this subject comes up, we form into two groups, seems like?
one group wants more LE to combat illegal drugs, the other group wants to recognize that more is not always better.
the plant derived substances such as sugar, caffeine, nicotine, marijuana, cocaine, opium etc. are either our friends or our enemies or somewhere in between, depending upon the day of the week, moon phase, etc. etc.
from an economic development standpoint we might be better off legalizing marijuana. let the organic farmers developed "niche" varieties of plants, and market locally. it'll be regulated to be sure no "wrong" pesticides were used.
taxes could be paid all up and down the line. and income would flow into rural communities. some LE would be necessarily displaced. they could be assigned to mopping up the illegal alien traffic.
the illegal drug dealers would also be displaced. they'd likely have to go to work in gainful employment, or some other illegal activity. what, i have no clue.
anyways, starting small would be good. later, the industry could consolidate, R&D could continue, and better varieties ould be developed for whatever usage. a specialty market would likely develop supplying a need, and offering worthwhile employment while encouraging local self=reliance.
what to do about opium and cocaine? destroy it at it's source unless its fully regulated.
are the alcohol and tobacco industries going to sit by and let this happen? doubt it.
reminds me of the Baptist Preachers and bootleggers keeping potentially wet counties dry. they would interlock arms, and local citizens would have to drive to the next county to supply their desires. the Sheriff would set up at the countyline to extract his share of the "illegal activity."
bootleggers thereby prospered, and the Baptist Preacher had something to rail against in the Sunday pulpit. everyone seemed to benefit, almost.
