One thing missing from this is the effect prohibition has on the drugs themselves. Since penalties are doled out based on the weight of the drug, the incentive is to create drugs which are far more potent than their predecessors (more buzz/gram). This raises profits for the dealers while keeping the risk of incarceration the same. Even in this market, economic laws still hold true. This potency effect translates to more dangerous forms of drugs on the street, leading to more death even when the state isn't involved. The madness must end. End the drug war now!