Legalization and Decriminalization of drugs is a controversial topic that elicits strong opinions on both sides of the topic

Comment on and analyze some of the arguments that have been offered in support of both legalization and decriminalization and give your opinions on those arguments. Support your statements with facts and data where appropriate.


Legal drugs would be easy to track and control. The involvement of organized criminal cartels in the drug distribution network could be substantially curtailed. Legal drug sales could be taxed, generating huge revenues. Legal drugs would be cheap, significantly reducing the number of drug-related crimes committed to feed expensive drug habits. Since some people are attracted to anything taboo, legalization could, in fact, reduce the demand for drugs. The current "war on drugs" is already a failure and will be remembered as one of history's follies. Prohibiting drugs is too expensive in terms of tax dollars, sacrificed civil liberties, and political turmoil. Drug dealers and users care little about criminal justice sanctions. They will continue their illegal activities no matter what the penalties are. Drug use should ultimately be a matter of personal choice.

Criminal Justice

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