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Comment by Jabrov | Hacker News Reader

This statement makes no sense. Ending the drug war will not automatically end the existence of cartels.

It just takes away 90% of their revenue, which is effective enough.

The issue is that the cartels are now endemic to the region. They're part of the government, they're extorting legal businesses, they're laundering the money and investing into legitimate businesses. You can't just undo their influence.

You can still take away 90% of their revenue. There is no credible solution that does not begin with that step.

How does ending the drug war take away 90% of their revenue. If you legalize drugs, the cartels would become legitimate producers and corner the market through fear and intimidation.

#1 The price will drop to the floor.

#2 Most drugs can just as easily be produced domestically by pharmaceutical companies.

#3 Of the drugs that can't be produced domestically, the Mexican cartels are just middlemen that can be cut out entirely. There's no reason drugs from Colombia need to transit Mexico.

#4 If you're worried about Colombian cartels - see points #1 and #2.

We already went through this with alcohol and organized crime.

It worked with alcohol, why not with other drugs?

You don't see a lot of illegal speakeasies and moonshine stills around, do you?

I think logically the path for these is to become legal business entities no?

So.... you're saying we shouldn't end the drug war? Because without a doubt that would have a massive impact on cartels.

> So.... you're saying we shouldn't end the drug war?

You might want to reread his post or take reading comprehension lessons.

No, I comprehend just fine. Parent poster is making a completely unnecessary comment in order to play devil's advocate, when we all know universally that ending the drug war is an important step in the conflict against an organized crime unit which came to prominence because of said drug war.

I think you are actually not comprehending. I never said we shouldn’t end the drug war.

The original statement was derisive without actually offering any useful criticism, and I called it out by taking it to its logical conclusion. If you want more thoughtful replies, it starts with your own comment.

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