We can talk about this all day, but even if I agreed with you, it's completely irrelevant. The policy issue in this article, and in 2010, is the legalization of marijuana. If the benefits your comment suggests aren't going to be realized with the legalization of marijuana, then we aren't getting them.
In not one of the top 40 economies of the world, including the Netherlands, have narcotics been legalized.
In not one of the top 40 economies of the world, including the Netherlands, have narcotics been legalized.
Not true. Portugal, "in 2001 became the first European country to officially abolish all criminal penalties for personal possession of drugs, including marijuana, cocaine, heroin and methamphetamine."
You are arguing entirely for the sake of arguing, because Portugal didn't legalize cocaine, heroin, and meth; it legalized personal possession. You will still go to prison if you open a heroin store in Lisbon.
In not one of the top 40 economies of the world, including the Netherlands, have narcotics been legalized.