Ira Glass recently produced an especially interesting episode of This American Life, talking about a particular drug court in the United States: Very Tough Love.
One potential advantage of the fiscal mess states like Canada and the United States have gotten themselves into is that it might help drive the advancement of more sensible drug policies. Our current approach is excessively punitive, fails to respect the sovereignty of the individual over their body, and is needlessly costly and destructive.
Author: Milan
In the spring of 2005, I graduated from the University of British Columbia with a degree in International Relations and a general focus in the area of environmental politics. In the fall of 2005, I began reading for an M.Phil in IR at Wadham College, Oxford.
Outside school, I am very interested in photography, writing, and the outdoors. I am writing this blog to keep in touch with friends and family around the world, provide a more personal view of graduate student life in Oxford, and pass on some lessons I've learned here.
View all posts by Milan
Another reality is that the present drug commerce is not taxed. Huge profits are made but no taxes collected. Controlled sale of marijuana could bring in tax revenue for social programs, instead of the profits going into the hands of the organized crime.
It seems worth noting that if illegal drugs became legal to produce and sell, their prices would probably fall dramatically. That could reduce the tax revenue that could be raised.
The main reason to oppose prohibition is because it is unjust, not because the government could raise money by eliminating it.