I was reading a drug thread in relation to the anti-marijuana ads from the government and it occured to me that the sale of drugs around the world is very big business. The absurdity of the ads and the fierceness with which the U.S. opposes any and all drug legalization makes me think that perhaps the government has some ulterior motive. I have no idea how organized the drug cartels are, but I would think that like all businesses they would be keeping a close eye on their profits. Is there any evidence that the people in control of the drug trade influence government policy in order to keep drugs illegal?
Some drug trade is different than others.
The drugs with the large organization tend to be the akaloids like coke and heroin. While there are organizations of purveyors of other illicit drugs the organizations they form tend not to reach the multi national stages like the famed South American and Asian cartels who traffic in heroin and coke. Marijuana and speed don’t get very big because the number of potential sources of manufacture are so large. With a large number of potential sources it is much harder to control or corner the market in a way that would yeild the kinds of profits that would allow the growth of multi-natl orgs.
The closer the drug consumer is to the drug manufacturer the less benefit is derived from the illegality of the drug vs the risks of trafficking in it.
There is evidence of various sorts that the law enforcement/ prosecutorial personel and agencies have been benefitting from the illegality of the drug trade. These people and agencies have effective lobbying powers with many levels of government. This lobbying power is often to keep drugs illegal and control the penalties for drug trade.
In this sense I would say yes there is.
I never thought about that before. It seems very possible. With the incredible amount of money that can be made in drugs, a cartel might go to any means to keep from going out of business, even if it means gaining the influence to keep drugs illegal.
Of course. Not to mention law-enforcement jobs (cops, detectives, etc.) but also prison employees and all of the industries who supply them. Heck, even security-alarm companies and gun manufacturers can be seen as having an interest in keeping drugs illegal because of the fear Americans have of being burglarized by a crack-head.
Politicians, I think, are the ones with the most interest in keeping drugs illegal. It gives them a convenient boogey-man to blame when things go wrong, or when election time rolls around.
I have heard rumors, but have seen no concrete evidence that the alcohol industry is deeply interested in keeping drugs illegal, to the extent of sponsoring stay-off-drugs campaigns and lobbying. I suppose the fear is that given a choice Joe Six Pack may decide to forego the hangover and become Joe Six Joint.
Back when I flirted with the Lyndon Larouche crowd for about five minutes, I heard one of their more amusing conspiracy theories. They claimed the invasion of Panama was to ensure its continuation as a major drug banking center (Noriega becoming increasingly unreliable, you see). Since Hong Kong was soon going back under Chinese control, which could disrupt its value as a drug banking center, keeping Panama in the fold was crucial.