I don’t understand how you can compare murder with drug use (or even selling drugs). Nobody says “let me try murder today and see if I like it” but plenty of people say (and do) “let me try drugs for fun today and see if I like it”.
Not all illegal activities are the same.
> The government strains, at extraordinary expense, to pretend they can stop drugs from being made, bought and sold, but they can't.
My point is that whether or not something still happens once illegal does not have much bearing on whether it should remain so. Nor does it signal failure of the policy as long as there is reduction.
Because marijuana being illegal did reduce the production, and consumption.
In the meantime, before legalization, weed only become stronger and more readily available. Many teenagers could get it more easily than booze. That was with the government at all levels doing everything it could to stop marijuana use. With many ruined lives of otherwise free people coming with those polices.
At least in my circles, usage has gone up significantly.
https://www.forbes.com/sites/brianbushard/2022/08/25/cannabi...
With the legalization of marijuana consumption has gone up. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2022/07/220719162133.h...
So to say they failed is not fact, very few laws eliminate the act that is illegal. Murder happens despite being illegal, and will continue to.
I would agree the cost is too high, that the policy is wrong, but it is pretty clear the illegality reduces consumption.