Legalization of Illicit Drugs

Drug prohibition has been a huge disaster with terrible consequences. Economics of legalization and drain on budget (prohibition) 1. More than $51,000,000,000 is spent on the war on drugs annually. 2. Tax revenue that drug legalization would yield annually, if currently-illegal drugs were taxed at rates comparable to those on alcohol and tobacco: $46.7 billion 3. Cartels' biggest selling drug is cannabis, legalization would give that money to legitimate businesses and the states through taxes Human costs and lives ruined by prohibition 1. The number of people arrested in 2013 in the U.S. on nonviolent drug charges: 1.5 million 2. Number charged for marijuana law violation in 2013: 693,482 3. Number of those charged with marijuana law violations who were arrested for possession only: 609,423 (88 percent of all) 4. Number of people killed in Mexico's drug war since 2006 (which we support): 100,000+ 5. Number of students who have lost federal financial aid eligibility because of a drug conviction: 200,000+ Disproportional racism toward minorities 1. Proportion of people incarcerated for a drug offense in state prison who are black or Latino, although these groups use and sell drugs at similar rates as whites: 57 percent 2. African Americans comprise 14% of regular drug users, but are 37% of those arrested for drug offenses. 3. African Americans serve almost as much time in federal prison for a drug offense as whites do for a violent offense. 4. People of color are far more likely to be stopped, searched, arrested, prosecuted, convicted and incarcerated for drug law violations than are whites. 5. Since the 1980s, federal penalties for crack were 100 times harsher than those for powder cocaine, with African Americans disproportionately sentenced to much lengthier terms. Disparities caused by ban on syringes 1. One-third of all AIDS cases in the U.S. have been caused by syringe sharing: 354,000 people 2. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that syringe access programs lower HIV incidence among people who inject drugs by: 80 percent Corruption caused by the war on drugs 1. On average, half of all police officers convicted as a result of FBI-led corruption cases between 1993 and 1997 were convicted for drug-related offenses. 2. From fiscal years 2005 through 2012, a total of 144 employees were arrested or indicted for corruption-related activities, including the smuggling of aliens or drugs, and 125 have been convicted. 3. Since October 1, 2004, 138 border agents have been arrested or indicted for acts of corruption including drug smuggling, alien smuggling, money laundering, and conspiracy. 4. (Dept. of Homeland Security Corruption Cases) "In Fiscal Year (FY) 2009, the Office of Inspector General (OIG) received about 12,458 allegations of fraud and initiated over 1,085 investigations. Our investigations resulted in 313 arrests, 293 indictments, 281 convictions and 59 administrative actions. Additionally, we reported over $85.7 million in fines, restitutions and administrative cost savings and recoveries. "Specific to employee corruption on the border, since 2003, we have made 129 arrests of corrupt Customs and Border Protection Officers and Border Patrol Agents. In FY 2009, we opened 839 allegations involving DHS employees: "" 576 CBP; "" 64 CIS; "" 35 TSA, and "" 164 ICE" "Legal Highs": Dangerous substances are sold as "legal highs" attempting to imitate less dangerous illegal drugs. Had the drug that they are attempting to imitate been legal, deaths, serious health issues, and permanent brain damage caused by them could've been prevented. An example of these designer drugs is "synthetic marijuana" which is very dangerous and has been responsible for many deaths, including minors. Mandatory drug testing is another cause of the synthesis and sales of designer drugs, because they usually aren't detected easily. Conclusion of round 1: There is huge evidence that prohibition is a catastrophe that has torn apart too many families and caused much more harm than good. Prohibitionists no longer have much to hold onto anymore, as the internet has greatly reduced the impact of propaganda. Sources: https://www.drugpolicy.org..., http://www.drugwarfacts.org..., https://www.drugpolicy.org...