[Yxven]

"And legalizing drugs only strengthens the cartels grip on that profit (see OPEC)." OPEC is powerful because they are an oligopoly. The current drug situation is an oligopoly because there are a limited number of people willing to risk their life and liberty to produce and sell drugs. By legalizing the production of drugs in the US, you allow honest US citizens to compete with far less risk. This will break the drug cartel's oligopoly. Whether they maintain their power depends on their ability to compete in a fairer market.