Walter Block

About the author: Walter Block is professor and chair of the Department of Economics and Finance at the University of Central Arkansas, in Conway, Arkansas. Block is a recognized authority on issues of the free market and a Libertarian. Block has published many articles on drug legalization and public policy.

A free market in drugs enhances economic welfare, and economic principles do not support the arguments against legalization. In economic terms, those who are not directly involved in a drug transaction should have no input; in a free society, addicts should be allowed to choose whether or not they are better off with or without drugs. Although legalization would not solve all problems with drugs, it could be no worse than the present situation, in which the government cannot even control drug...