Legalize all drugs, tax, regulate them.

First of all, I'd like more explanation on how the prison system won't exist without drug cartels, because I'm unclear on how. But, obviously drug cartels will exist but their power in both numbers and fear will decrease immensely due to the opening of markets nationwide (not to mention, they can now legally enter this market and conquer it.) We would release all non violent drug crime offenders from prison and this would help society in ways I'll reference back to later. The main issue is that there is no victim in recreational drug use. And as long as an offender does not harm a separate citizen's rights, they should be allowed to take part in what they want to. By legalizing drugs, we allow officers to deal with actual issues and put them to their full potential and work. This increases productivity and decreases violent crime. If certain officers need petty drug arrests to make their pay checks for them, they aren't using themselves and putting themselves to their full potential. If people want to harm their bodies by using drugs, that is not the government's right to restrict. Also, there have been studies showing that certain drugs help people with mental health issues that you don't get prescribed medical marijuana or anything other for. To start, marijuana often helps people deal with depression, anxiety, etc. LSD and "magic mushrooms" have risen immensely lately as legitimately curing depression, helping clear egotism, and becoming more self aware in general. Ecstasy is showing to be useful for treating anxiety and PTSD. Some of these cases can, yes, be prescribed, but not always the case. In the end, if someone just wants to use them and have fun with them, then the government can't restrict that. For prohibition, you're comparing the ban of alcohol manufacturing and sales (which is how it is with drugs) to the taxation of drugs which is an insufficient argument. I compared both bans and how both are the same in the way that when there is a ban, people create alternatives that others die from (my example of Prince with laced heroin as well as the example of bath salts being used as an alternative.) The example doesn't stay the same with taxation. You claim that people will not pay for taxed drugs when they can get it cheaper on the streets. Then why aren't people buying alcohol off the streets because you should know alcohol is also taxed. They will buy from stores because then it is legal. I'm going to reference to my argument in round 1 about the economy as it was never brought up. Let's look at this on a small scale: a town. In this town, a prison releases many prisoners arrested for non-violent drug crimes and their charges are cleared. A shop opens nearby, selling recreational drugs, and needs employees. It offers a deal for maybe 25% or 50% off as an employee discount - very generous. Many recently released criminals apply and some are hired. They are now helping the market and economy. The others either apply at another opening recreational drug shop or another job as their charges have been cleared, once again adding to the market, economy, and helping reduce poverty. This is why legalizing, regulating, and taxing drugs will help the economy and open the market immensely. Finally, I'll extend my argument of "No victim, no crime." As long as a citizen does not violate another citizen's rights, it's not the government's duty to enforce laws against it.