Drug Legalization

Paper Summary:

This paper analyzes the issue of drug use in the United States. It then discusses the debate surrounding the legalization of drug use in the United States. The paper explores the social ideologies behind the current drug policy and the the economic effects of the current drug legislation. It then looks at the hypothesized economic benefits and social effects of legalizing drug use in the US.

From the Paper:

"A number of people in America use recreational drugs, especially marijuana. One estimate says that over 76 million Americans admitted to having tried marijuana (DRUG WAR FACTS, Marijuana). According the US federal law, these people are criminals. If caught using illegal drugs a person can face penalties ranging from a one hundred dollar fine to life in prison. Whether or not these laws and penalties are good for the well being of the country and its citizens has been a debate for decades. Numerous groups and individuals, representing a range of sectors in our society, have opinions on the subject. They use various economic and moral arguments to either promote or denounce drugs and drug use. A group of economists uses the notion of free markets to argue for drug policy reform. The government uses a cost/benefit analysis to refute such claims. Governor Gary Johnson from New Mexico expresses the need for the government to take an active role in drug legalization rather than prohibition. Think tanks disagree on the proper course for US drug policy. Special interest groups have been created solely to fight for people's right to use drugs, and other groups have been formed to promote stricter drug laws and enforcement. Media editorials praise drug policy reform and criticize policy makers. Public opinion polls and university students are split on marijuana legalization. The Catholic Church preaches moderation as opposed to abstinence. And popular music groups sing songs praising the joys of getting high. Though each sector has an opinion, and some sectors have more than one, the degree to which each group addresses the topic varies greatly. Detailed or brief, everyone seems to have an opinion on illicit drugs and marijuana legalization. In this essay I examine the ways in which the following sectors of society talk about legalizing drugs/marijuana: professional economics, government, think tanks, special interest groups, media, public opinion, religion, and popular culture. I have found that the drug/marijuana legalization debate is separated into two distinct arguments. 1) What is cost effective? 2) What is morally right? The cost-effective argument deals mostly with the best way to allocate funds and resources. The variables are mostly measurable, dealing with monetary figures and surplus calculations. The moral debate deals more with variables that cannot be mathematically measured like spirituality and personal freedoms. My thesis is that since equal attention has been given to both arguments, the economics profession can only significantly contribute to part of the debate. Also, because there are numerous variables to consider, and these variables are difficult to distinguish, the economics argument is difficult to substantiate."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Basov, Suren; Jacobson, Mireille; Miron, Jeffrey A. Prohibition and the Markets for Illegal Drugs: An Overview of Recent History. World Economics. Oct. - Dec. Issue , 2001 http://www.world-economics-journal.com/BackIssues.Asp?Vol=2&Iss=4
• Boaz, David. Drug Legalization, Criminalization, and Harm Reduction. June 16, 1999 The Cato Institute. http://www.cato.org/testimony/ct-dbz061699.html
• Cato Institute. March 25, 2002 http://www.cato.org
• CNN.Com: Transcripts from CNN Crossfire. April 20, 2001 http://www.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0104/20/cf.00.html
• Cypress Hill Homepage. 4/8/02 http://www.cypresshill.ht.st/

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