It is in the interest of Prison Owners and Law Enforcement to keep drugs that could and probably should be legalized illegal. It is in the interest of defense lawyers and district attorneys to keep drugs that could and probably should be legalized illegal. It is in the interest of corrupt cops and other public servants who deal or protect baksheesh-paying drug dealers to keep drugs that could and probably should be legalized illegal. Drugs are for sick people. Drug users are usually sick people.
Illegal drugs kill thousands of people every year.
Legal drugs, pharmaceuticles, kill hundereds of thousands of people every year, but that's another story. Drugs awareness programs, and prevention programs that help people from ever using drugs in the first place are probably quite good. Rehab for addicts is also a good thing along with 12-Step programs. While the user or addict is still using or strung out, at least they aren't having to do crimes in order to support their habits. Cops could spend their time fighting real crime and searching out real criminals rather than playing Cops and Robbers with recreational drug users and drug addicts.