I found it interesting in this article that the marijuana growers of Mexico are cutting back on the amount of crop they are growing because of reduced demand from the US. The price they are getting has dropped from $100/Kg to $25/Kg, so it is no longer profitable. I assume this drop in demand is due to the legalization in the few states that have so far done it. See this article: Marijuana legalization hurting Mexican drug cartels: "
The article says that the DEA spends over $2 Billion for Marijuana enforcement. The DEA is just one agency too! I'm sure that FBI, CIA, TSA, NSA, Coast Guard, Border Patrol, and Homeland Security spend a lot as well.
I believe the US Army, Navy, Air Force and Marines are also partially involved in drug interdiction -- but it would be difficult to separate out the interdiction of marijuana from the other drugs. In addition to those Federal agencies, each state also has their own police force and prosecution staff (prosecutors, public defenders, judges, court reporters, balifs etc. Counties have their sheriff departments, and district attorneys, superior courts etc, and cities do also. In addition to these forces, a large percentage of the population in prisons and jails are due to convictions for various crimes involving marijuana: growing, selling, or using the drug. The US also sends money and assistance to other countries to assist them in drug interdiction. The $2B spent by the DEA is only a small part of our governments on policing marijuana business. I wouldn't be surprised if the actual number was closer to $20 Billion/year.
The interesting thing is that the largest portion of that money goes to pay for LABOR -- it doesn't buy much equipment, or capital improvements in the country. Who are the recipients of most of that money? It is the same people who are always fighting the legalization. They, just like the Mexican marijuana farmers, are fighting to keep their jobs! They know that if Marijuana were legalized that many of their jobs would be eliminated.
The country would be a LOT better off if the $20B were spent on bridges, flood control, internet infrastructure, disease prevention research, education etc.
The article says that the DEA spends over $2 Billion for Marijuana enforcement. The DEA is just one agency too! I'm sure that FBI, CIA, TSA, NSA, Coast Guard, Border Patrol, and Homeland Security spend a lot as well.
I believe the US Army, Navy, Air Force and Marines are also partially involved in drug interdiction -- but it would be difficult to separate out the interdiction of marijuana from the other drugs. In addition to those Federal agencies, each state also has their own police force and prosecution staff (prosecutors, public defenders, judges, court reporters, balifs etc. Counties have their sheriff departments, and district attorneys, superior courts etc, and cities do also. In addition to these forces, a large percentage of the population in prisons and jails are due to convictions for various crimes involving marijuana: growing, selling, or using the drug. The US also sends money and assistance to other countries to assist them in drug interdiction. The $2B spent by the DEA is only a small part of our governments on policing marijuana business. I wouldn't be surprised if the actual number was closer to $20 Billion/year.
The interesting thing is that the largest portion of that money goes to pay for LABOR -- it doesn't buy much equipment, or capital improvements in the country. Who are the recipients of most of that money? It is the same people who are always fighting the legalization. They, just like the Mexican marijuana farmers, are fighting to keep their jobs! They know that if Marijuana were legalized that many of their jobs would be eliminated.
The country would be a LOT better off if the $20B were spent on bridges, flood control, internet infrastructure, disease prevention research, education etc.
