“The major reason why our society is awash in illicit drugs is the unbelievable profits that can be realized in their being manufactured and sold,” writes Judge James P. Grey of the California Superior Court.8 It is the same in Canada. Dr. Povey points out that “the billion Canadian bucks we throw at drug control each year have trivial effect upon supply but powerfully inflate market value. A kilo of heroin that costs $3,000 in Pakistan sells for $150,000 on our streets, which explains why a serious drug user needs $50,000 spare change yearly to stay cool.”
