The problem with "legalize pot and tax it" is 1) legal pot would have a set % of THC ( like proof in booze). Folks would buy blackmarket pot with a higher THC content. 2) So, it's taxed, and expensive, so what's keeping folks from again buying cheaper, black-market pot?
3) The U.S. has mutual drug-enforcement policies with many countries..for us to change would create lots of international problems.
For those that say shoot smugglers, etc., most pot is brought in via large trucks, cars, boats, etc. in hidden compartments. Both from Mexico and Canada. Sure, some is brought in via backpacks, etc., but it is small potatoes.
It really bugs me when folks say we are "loosing the war on drugs"!! Well, haven't we waged a "war" on murder, rape, theft, DWI, etc., etc. The word "war" should never have been used to describe enforcement.
As if anyone cares, here ary my thoughts on drugs. I'm 58, so I'm a product of the '60's, grew up on the Calif. coast, later a career cop. First off, some % of any population are going to be addicts, and alot ( most??) of those cannot support their habit, so they revert to street crime. WHY do we let this happen?? Does it make sense for someone to break into a car, do many hundreds of $$ damage, for small change, stolen stereo, etc?? Ditto the terrible waste of violent crimes, mugging, purse-snatching ( knock some poor lady down, breaking bones, for a few bucks), burglaries ( maybe assault/kill homeowner who interupts them ). Yea, I have no problem with lethal force to stop violent crime, so don't think of me as a bleeding heart. BUT, addicts are sick, they are ADDICTED!! My idea is simply to offer, in a clinical, supervised,controlled enviroment, drugs to those that need them. Cost is very minimal, street crime goes way down. Yes, offer rehab clinics, etc. to try to help those who want to quit. For pot, keep it all illegal, but de-criminalize small, personal amounts. IF a cop comes across it, it is siezed, person is ticketed, and given a small fine.
Now, for those that grow pot ( large amounts ), possess large quantities of illegal drugs ( pot, ANY opiates, etc.), well, they are simply smugglers and/or dealers, then either life sentance ( do-able ) or death penalty ( probably not do-able ).
My 2cents worth, time to jump off the soap box.
Mark
Back on topic, Mexico has a huge problem..it is about to collapse. It's interesting that in a country where the private ownership of firearms and ammo is VERY, VERY restrictive, the cartels have AK's, .50 M2's, military hand gernades, RPG's, etc. Shows just how effective gun control laws are!! About 10 years ago my youngest son ( then 16 ) and I drove down Baja to Cabo, and back. Would NEVER do it now-a-days. Mexico is Totally out of control!!
Bye