Interesting point. What would all those bad guys do if we eliminated their most profitable business venture? I dont know? I'm not sure it's reason enough to keep funding them though? The drug trade has given them money that helps other crime grow. The mob became huge when we prohibited alcohol. As for the junkies, why not give it to them cheap, if they submit to counseling and whatever else we want to do to them. After all, you'll have them by the balls. Drugs are cheap. It's their illegality that is responsible for their value. Once we destroy the market by giving it away cheap, there would be much less incentive even on the level of the farmer, to continue the culture.