For the past 20 years, The Economist, a conservative magazine, has proposed legalizing all drugs. Drug prohibition is "intended to reassure the parents of teenagers across the world," but overall has been a policy failure. According to The Economist the US spends $40 billion each year on its war against drugs yet the "production of cocaine and opium is probably the same as a decade ago; that of cannabis (Marijuana) is higher".

It goes on to say "legalization would not only drive away the gangsters, it would transform drugs from a law and order problem into a public health problem, which is how it should be treated." Our harsh laws have not prevented increasing use and criminal justice consequences. According to Sen. Jim Webb, 47.5% of all drug arrests in our country in 2007 were from marijuana offenses

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