[Drogen- und Suchtpolitik] Let it grow—the open market solution to marijuana control

[Martin Steldinger <tribble AT hanfplantage.de>]

Let it grow-€”the open market solution to marijuana control

Abstract

This commentary evaluates regulatory frameworks for the legalized 
production, sale, and use of marijuana. Specifically, we argue that the 
primary goal of legalization should be the elimination of the illicit 
trade in marijuana and that maximizing market participation through open 
markets and personal cultivation is the best approach to achieving this 
goal. This argument is based on the assertion that regulatory models 
based on a tightly controlled government market will fail because they 
replicate the fatal flaws of the prohibition model. This commentary 
argues that an examination of the reasons for prohibition€™s failure 
€”to wit, the inability of government to control the production of 
marijuana completely undercuts the basic premise of a tightly controlled 
market, which depends on the ability of the government to control 
production. The public interest would be better served by an effective 
regulatory framework which recognizes and takes advantage of competitive 
market forces. This analysis argues that reducing teenage access to 
marijuana requires the elimination of an overcapitalized illicit market. 
Further, it asserts that this goal and maximization of tax revenue from 
a legal marijuana market are mutually exclusive objectives.

Keywords: Cannabis, Decriminalization, Drug traffic, Government policy, 
Drug legalization (United States), Drug control (economic aspects), Drug 
policy, Legalization markets, Marijuana, Regulation


Gettman and Kennedy Harm Reduction Journal 2014, 11:32
http://www.harmreductionjournal.com/content/11/1/32