Aren’t criminals competing for illegal profits the source of much “drug violence”, not the drugs themselves?

Published June 30, 2010

Question by Water Over Gold: Aren’t criminals competing for illegal profits the source of much “drug violence”, not the drugs themselves?
Since all the most popular drugs are illegal (weed, cocaine, crack, etc.) that means only criminals can make money selling them.

Well these criminal organizations (gangs, cartels) compete with each other for market share. Except in the black market you can simply kill the competition.

So isn’t the drug war CREATING the violence that those who are against legalization fear would increase if drugs were legal?? When in fact legalization would result in LESS violence (ie Amsterdam), and probably fewer users too (Amsterdam)…

Best answer:

Answer by Joan S
all of it is a source of “drug violence”… competition for territory, sources and buyers, the fallout from drug users, broken families, etc.

What do you think? Answer below!