posted by thavoice
Really think making drugs legal will defund gangs?
I don't. And, incidentally, I support decriminalization not legalization.
But we've now seen a number of developments with marijuana. First, it has not ended the black market for it. That's just never going to happen so long as you have taxes and regulation. Second, the Mexico cartels have started exporting a much more potent "tar".
More directly, has marijuana legalization throughout the US made even a dent in gangs? And, besides, they'll still traffic in guns, sex and other things. I think it's a decent assumption that if you eliminate one revenue source, they will find or move onto other sources (which could be more problematic).