Quote:
Originally Posted by GratefulCitizen
If the drug problems are to be mitigated, the economic benefits of trafficking have to be reduced.
Step 1: Don't interdict. Let the traffickers spread around as much as they want.
Step 2: Go after the end user. Make it a "traffic ticket" with steep fines.
Supply up + demand down will lower price to where there's no significant criminal profit.
If the consequences of being a user are made worse, more will seek help or avoid using in the first place.
The end users have less ability to thwart LE efforts.
Go after the soft target.
It sounds cruel, but it would work.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by GratefulCitizen
Taxation will create a black market.
Leave it black, fine (tax) the end user.
This gives additional motivation for users to contain their behavior.
Strangle demand, let the supply flow, kill the benefits of trafficking.
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I humbly disagree that letting drug cartels sell with impunity would result in there being "no significant criminal profit" or prevent future Hugo "Wilson" Hernandez's.
My understanding of drug legalization and taxation is that it kills the black market of the substance. I don't see how traffic ticket sized fines for users will strangle the demand.
Sidney Weintraub, from the Center for Strategic and International Studies, believes Mexican drug cartels are making about $25 billion annually from us and about 40% of what they sell is marijuana.
Link
Just my .00000002