"The thing with the war on drugs, and the question we have to ask is, not why is it a failure, but why given that it seems to be a failure - why is it persistent?

And I'm beginning to think: Maybe it is a success. What if it's a success by keeping police forces busy? What if it's a success by keeping private jails thriving. What if it’s a success keeping a legal establishment justified in its self-generated activity? Maybe it’s a success on different terms than the publicly stated ones."

The US justice system works great for the ones who are being paid to keep it running.