Even for hard drugs, the gross abusers do not constitute the sole market. There are always a substantial number of more casual users (even with heroin, not all are hardcore addicts). Not only that, but before addiction, it is necessary to get people to "experiment" for awhile. For both reasons, it is false to say that the laws of economics do not apply. Even drug markets are price sensitive.
Now, the idea of becoming a registered drug user, as in Switzerland, is interesting, and would partially curtail circulation. However, it is still impossible to monitor resale, without becoming a police state, and the real danger becomes leaks in the distribution system. Any way you slice it, the black market to juveniles grows, the only question is how much.
I am not making a value judgment when referring to tolerable levels. I am saying that if this society did not find current levels tolerable, it would commit more resources to interdiction and enforcement, and be more ruthless in ferreting out corruption. By definition, the level is tolerable. I am saying that relaxing restriction to the point of legalization would rapidly create conditions we, as a society, would find intolerable. If I had my "druthers", we would commit more resources, in fact......... |
