Is America Really Winning its War on Drugs?

Is the American Government Really Winning their War on Drugs?
Jennifer Steele

In the United States, more than 70 million people have tried marijuana, and millions of adults still consume it on a regular basis. About 140 million people –nearly 2.5% of the world’s population- smoke marijuana. Almost everyone has a friend, relative, neighbor, or co-worker who consumes marijuana. Because of the widespread economic and criminal justice ramifications of the illicit marijuana market and of Marijuana Prohibition, the marijuana phenomenon touches nearly everyone's life. A “marijuana-free America” has proved to be an unrealistic goal. Therefore, we must ask ourselves, “Does Marijuana prohibition work?” Assuming the purpose of marijuana prohibition is to stop people from using marijuana, it has failed.
Marijuana has been illegal in America since 1937, and it has yet to stop marijuana usage. A “drug war” began in 1980, and it has had no long-term effect on u...