“In the end, legalization of certain substances may be the only way to bring prices down, and doing so may be the only remedy to some of the worst aspects of the drug plague: violence, corruption, and the collapse of the rule of law.”

The only change we would see from legalization of "certain substances" is more violence and corruption., broken marriages and injured if not killed young people. Even if the rule of law would not collapse (being legal), "certain segments" of society would be adversely affected. Since there is very little in the way of a self disciplining "conscience" in this secular society, it would be all too easy for those who would ordinarily decide against drug use to "give it a try." We can only hope those in congress would never entertain the idea of legalizing any "certain substances."

If they're cheaper, they won't change our behaviors so much?

The "War on Drugs" has brought more grief to this country than almost anything. Far from solving any problems, it has created more and more corruption. Carol, you seem to be under the illusion that legalizing drugs would cause people to use drugs. Wake up woman, people ARE using drugs even with this "War" going on for over 40 years. Check out LEAP.cc.

Prohibition created the Al Capone mobs. Drug laws are no different.

Who has the right to make a plant 'illegal'? Prescription medications of all kinds are abused by millions resulting in depression, suicide, murder, traffic accidents -- all the things prohibitionists worry about from pot smokers. Marijuana competes with pharmaceuticals -- legalizing pot would disrupt rivers of income to them.

A police state absolutely needs a 'war on drugs' -- has the government given up on the police state yet? THAT is what it is ALL about.