Evan Wood : Conservatives concerned by spending ignore cost of failed war on drugs . As Friedman said , `` If you look at the drug war from a purely economic point of view , the role of the government is to protect the drug cartel . '' $ 2.5 trillion spent on war on drugs ; crime , violence , drug use are the result , he says . Taxation on marijuana could generate $ 1.4 billion a year in tax revenue , writes Wood . Americans more likely to support marijuana use than those in countries , he says , where it 's legal .
Evan Wood : Conservatives concerned by spending ignore cost of failed war on drugs . $ 2.5 trillion spent on war on drugs ; crime , violence , drug use are the result , he says . Taxation on marijuana could generate $ 1.4 billion a year in tax revenue , writes Wood . Americans more likely to support marijuana use than those in countries , he says , where it 's legal .