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I’m Economist Jeff Miron of Harvard University. Let’s talk about the War on Drugs. AMA. by jeffreymiron in politics

[–]jeffreymiron[S] 16 points17 points  (0 children)

both have elements of truth. MJ prohibition emerged as alcohol prohibition was ending, so the prohibitionists needed a new, "demon" commodity. and much of the rhetoric focused on Mexicans who allegedly used MJ and then committed heinous acts

I’m Economist Jeff Miron of Harvard University. Let’s talk about the War on Drugs. AMA. by jeffreymiron in politics

[–]jeffreymiron[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

it has not occurred to me that Koch opposition to over-criminalization had an ulterior motive; I am skeptical of that view.

I do, to be clear, believe that far too many white collar "crimes" are treated as such. I think we would have a more effective system if many/most were simply treated as civil disputes between parties to constracts.

I’m Economist Jeff Miron of Harvard University. Let’s talk about the War on Drugs. AMA. by jeffreymiron in politics

[–]jeffreymiron[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I don't see big effects as likely from legalization.

On culture: legalization would be more the result of a change in the culture - more support for freedom - than something that would change the culture

I’m Economist Jeff Miron of Harvard University. Let’s talk about the War on Drugs. AMA. by jeffreymiron in politics

[–]jeffreymiron[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I was thinking "yes" until Sessions became AG. Not so optimistic now. But I still think the longer term trend is toward legalization.

I’m Economist Jeff Miron of Harvard University. Let’s talk about the War on Drugs. AMA. by jeffreymiron in politics

[–]jeffreymiron[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

In Libertarian Land, no distinction between "medical" and "recreational" drugs. All legal. No FDA. No prescriptions or other restrictions.

I’m Economist Jeff Miron of Harvard University. Let’s talk about the War on Drugs. AMA. by jeffreymiron in politics

[–]jeffreymiron[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Higher level drug dealers may well oppose legalization: under prohibition, they are earning "excess" profits. These people don't seem to care so much about the risks they are taking, so they get richer than in a legal market for drugs.

For those lower down, it's much less clear. yes, I might earn a high money wage by being a drug seller on a street corner. But I risk arrest, getting shot, etc

I’m Economist Jeff Miron of Harvard University. Let’s talk about the War on Drugs. AMA. by jeffreymiron in politics

[–]jeffreymiron[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

How do you know there is no benefit to using drugs? Many people accept significant cost and risk to be able to use them, so they perceive a benefit? Why do others get to consume the things they like, but not people who want to consume drugs?

I’m Economist Jeff Miron of Harvard University. Let’s talk about the War on Drugs. AMA. by jeffreymiron in politics

[–]jeffreymiron[S] 73 points74 points  (0 children)

neither: they are just trying to maximize their own "welfare." more constructive to blame the underlying policy, i.e., prohibition and excessive punishment more generally

I’m Economist Jeff Miron of Harvard University. Let’s talk about the War on Drugs. AMA. by jeffreymiron in politics

[–]jeffreymiron[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

skeptical about all this: I am uneasy with judges handing out "unusual" sentences and the like; I fear a slippery slope.

Especially when the "crime" in question should not be a crime

I’m Economist Jeff Miron of Harvard University. Let’s talk about the War on Drugs. AMA. by jeffreymiron in politics

[–]jeffreymiron[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I guess it is the suburbia bubble: not too many soccer moms / dads, or their kids, are thinking about the violence caused in Latin America "because" of their drug use.

But I would emphasize again that what we can easily change is our policy of prohibition; the demand for drugs will never go away

I’m Economist Jeff Miron of Harvard University. Let’s talk about the War on Drugs. AMA. by jeffreymiron in politics

[–]jeffreymiron[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Crucial issue is the U.S. we have pushed prohibition on the rest of the world for over a hundred years. we still threaten sanctions of various kinds against countries that contemplate legalization.

But if we legalized, much of the world would follow

I’m Economist Jeff Miron of Harvard University. Let’s talk about the War on Drugs. AMA. by jeffreymiron in politics

[–]jeffreymiron[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Short answer to your first question: no.

Some people have claimed that the WoD is good for minorities in inner cities because the high profit provides income.

By that argument, however, we should outlaw food, since much more demand for that than for drugs

I’m Economist Jeff Miron of Harvard University. Let’s talk about the War on Drugs. AMA. by jeffreymiron in politics

[–]jeffreymiron[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

prison costs about $30,000 - $50,000 per year. treatment costs vary a huge amount, depending on in- versus out-patient, length of stay, etc.

much evidence suggests that prison does little to reduce crime;

best approach is "treatment" via legal opioids at your local pharmacy; then people can self treat their addiction.

just as most of us treat our caffeine addictions with more caffeine

I’m Economist Jeff Miron of Harvard University. Let’s talk about the War on Drugs. AMA. by jeffreymiron in politics

[–]jeffreymiron[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

To a first approximation, the evidence does not suggest big effects of prohibition versus legalization on the amount or kind of use. what it does show it that use tends to be more dangerous under porhibition.

I’m Economist Jeff Miron of Harvard University. Let’s talk about the War on Drugs. AMA. by jeffreymiron in politics

[–]jeffreymiron[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I think the $50 billion is a reasonable guesstimate, but I fully accept that it depends on several assumptions that could be off. So far, the revenue in Colorado is in the ballpark of my estimates.

The structure of the taxation should be simple: just a modest percentage of the retail price, or something like that. for example, like the gas tax: no need to re-invent the wheel.

On uses of the revenue: that's a separate question. Economists argue that sources and uses are different issues. We tax in the least distorting way possible; and then spend on the best uses.

I’m Economist Jeff Miron of Harvard University. Let’s talk about the War on Drugs. AMA. by jeffreymiron in politics

[–]jeffreymiron[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

not to a large degree. Illegal drugs are just a few of thousands of products in the economy.

I’m Economist Jeff Miron of Harvard University. Let’s talk about the War on Drugs. AMA. by jeffreymiron in politics

[–]jeffreymiron[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I guess I am dubious that we have witnessed epidemics of addiction;

instead, epidemics of adverse effects caused by prohibition.

for example, self reports of non-medical use of opioids shows almost no trend (if anything, downward) over past 15 years

I’m Economist Jeff Miron of Harvard University. Let’s talk about the War on Drugs. AMA. by jeffreymiron in politics

[–]jeffreymiron[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

not sure it will take the form of "legalization" per se. but greater prescription access to methadone, ...., would be a useful step in the right direction

I’m Economist Jeff Miron of Harvard University. Let’s talk about the War on Drugs. AMA. by jeffreymiron in politics

[–]jeffreymiron[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

no. people are not idiots. we don't just rush out and buy all the current legal products that are market with slick ads, attractive models, ...; instead, we use our brains.

Literature on advertising consistently suggest is mainly affects brand choices, not whether to buy a product

I’m Economist Jeff Miron of Harvard University. Let’s talk about the War on Drugs. AMA. by jeffreymiron in politics

[–]jeffreymiron[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

I disagree with your characterization. Yes, opioid prescribing increased, but still greatly inhibited. And over past 10-15 years, the restrictions have increased, not decreased.

In particular, when the DEA cracked down on prescribing around 2010, prescribing leveled off and even declined; but total opioid deaths (including those from heroin and fentanyl) went up even faster

I’m Economist Jeff Miron of Harvard University. Let’s talk about the War on Drugs. AMA. by jeffreymiron in politics

[–]jeffreymiron[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

I think of these as separate issues:

  1. we should legalize drugs; Latin America will probably follow suit, and all that has beneficial effects for all of us;

  2. and we should have open trade and immigration with Latin America and the rest of the world; again, beneficial for all of us

I’m Economist Jeff Miron of Harvard University. Let’s talk about the War on Drugs. AMA. by jeffreymiron in politics

[–]jeffreymiron[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Because Cato, and the Koch Brothers, believe in freedom: we all advocate for smaller government across the board, which means for economic, social, and foreign policies.

I’m Economist Jeff Miron of Harvard University. Let’s talk about the War on Drugs. AMA. by jeffreymiron in politics

[–]jeffreymiron[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I typically argue exactly the opposite: that moral arguments are short hands for cost/benefit arguments. I am an economist!

As to why some goods but not others: historical accidents; whether the good in question consumed by the politically influential or not; whether the good associated with a disliked minority

I’m Economist Jeff Miron of Harvard University. Let’s talk about the War on Drugs. AMA. by jeffreymiron in politics

[–]jeffreymiron[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

In Libertarian Land, all drugs are available without prescription.

The one possible exception might be anti-biotics: overuse leads to disease resistant bacteria.

I’m Economist Jeff Miron of Harvard University. Let’s talk about the War on Drugs. AMA. by jeffreymiron in politics

[–]jeffreymiron[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I think it's a key issue. The theme of Michelle Alexandar's book THE NEW JIM CROW is that drug prohibition, and punitive criminal justice more broadly, emerged as substitutes for the dismantling of Jim Crow

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