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Comment by jlarocco | Hacker News Reader

Not really.

The drug lords have invested a bunch of money setting up smuggling networks and equipping mini-armies. Legalize drugs and they'll just switch to smuggling something else.

I agree drugs should be legalized, but it's because I don't like the government telling me what I can do.

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This possible, but the profit margins that exist in the illegal drug business would not be replaced. Their smuggling networks & personnel would become a massive financial burden (how long it would take for that financial burden to destroy them is a separate issue.)

If we assume drug lords are in it for the money and/or power they'd cut their losses ASAP.

For any of them that are really in it for the thrills the time would depend on their reserves, but I doubt it'd last longer than a few months for any of them.

They will start shooting cops and civilians over bootleg DVDs?

Fake designer clothing? If this hypothetical market existed they would already be there.

Bootleg items are one way to make money, and you can bet that the market for that is already huge for DVDs and clothing knock-offs. I also recommend reading up on human trafficking, which is also a huge problem, too. I don't have any figures, but it's also worth considering how much money can be earned by robbing someone at gun point and holding them for ransom, as well - cartels in South America have done this for quite some time.

So you're saying kidnapping and extortion are already a huge problem, and the cartels are already deeply involved.

Sorry for the late response to this - yes.

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