Not nearly in the same way completely illegal does. That's to say are cigarettes and alcohol on the black market? Just because some adults choose to break the law and provide to minors does not mean that there is nearly as large of a market for illegal sales. By making something illegal it goes on the black market in terms of sky rocketing prices (high risk = high cost = potentially high reward), undercover grow rooms, and more dangerous practices. Regulated keeps things more in the open and helps stimulate responsible use rather than a "drug market." Correct me if I'm wrong and this isn't what you were trying to get across |if3 (and feel free to expand)!
That's exactly what I was going to say, and I will most definitely expand!
There are some 'drugs' that once hit the black market: They die (TCP for example), Salvinorin A is not a drug, and will never be a Drug. There are a few major problems with scheduling substances; like Hero4Evz said: When you make it illegal, the risk is 'too great' for a lot of people, most of which probably want to stay legit and stay in business. That's why when 'you make harsher laws', it screws everything over. It has a reverse effect, if Harper wants to accept it or not. Another problem is Supply/Demand. But it doesn't eliminate the amount of production, if anything it skyrockets it. Take Meth for example. Would you ever find anyone making it if it wasn't illegal? if it was still a medicine? Nope. You might see more overdoses, but you do with all medication. <-- The fatality rate would be significantly different.
Ketamine for example, it is scheduled, but you rarely see anyone using it.
Any|Harsher laws create a higher demand and temporary lower supply, and once that happens: You'll see gangs stepping in more so than they already are to fulfill that want for a substance. And since the demand is higher: the price also skyrockets. Now since gangs have stepped in, so have guns, prostitution, and other drugs. Not only that, but it creates more jobs for the police force, regulating something that shouldn't be regulated. Imagine if they regulated carrots, imagine how many people would have to be hired to try and locate each carrot patch. A lot. Not only that, but once a big seize has been made, they get to keep all the proceeds, and all the while: Taxes increase.
And that's only after it has been made illegal, once it has been made illegal, a whole bunch of shit goes awry.
It seems like speculation, but that is always how it has been, and since people are ignorant (especially when they have authority): They hate to admit that they were wrong, and probably never will. And the next people to be in power will probably be the next of kin, or close to which value the impotent opinion of their 'leader'.
If you look at armed forces for example, people tend to follow the footprints and career paths that their parents had. Just watch any "Army Strong" or "Go Behind The Lines" commercials, you'll see.
We are the cause of our own demise; and until we all realize what we do isn't for the sake of being 'rebellious' and 'childish': we'll learn the ways that once were. To respect what we have been given, and not take it for granted. Once that happens the men in blue will want us to not have it.
It's a pathetic and falsified way of keeping something under control.
Tell your child that he/she can't go out on friday nights, that he/she can't eat candy, that he/she can't watch tv. They will always want to do it unless you let them have it (in most cases).
And that's only a few examples.
Happy Growin',
James