My comments elsewhere

Now that alcohol is legal throught most of the US you don't see liquor manufacturers killing each other over distribution rights - something that was common during Prohibition.

As for the whole "society of addicts" counter to leagalization I would like to remind everyone that during the early 19th century (when opium and the like was legal) GB and the US enjoyed the greatest increases in wealth and quality of life in pretty much the whole history of mankind.
And they did it half stoned at an average of 125 doses per person per year.

The problems in Latin America aren't exerbated by those who want drugs, but by those who prevent us from getting them peacefully.

Well that and our (the US) assumption that Central and South America are our own personal palyground.