Benefits Quote by Walter Block
“It is sometimes argued that one of the benefits of legalizing addictive drugs is that they could be taxed, and the government revenues enhanced. From this perspective, this would be the only valid case against legalization.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: “The Case for Legalizing Drugs,” 1995, Libertarian Review
He argues that taxation of legalized drugs could boost government revenue, making fiscal benefit the sole strong anti‑legalization argument.
In simple terms: Taxing drugs could raise money, but that's the only real objection.
Key Takeaway
Consider fiscal impacts before moral judgments.
Themes
economics
public policy
libertarianism
Mood
analytical
critical
Type
philosophical
policy
When to use this quote
- budget planning
- public health funding
- legislative debates
Key Concepts
taxation
government revenue
drug policy
Questions to Reflect On
- Is revenue enough to justify legalization?
- What other harms might arise?
A Different Perspective
Tax revenue may not outweigh social costs.
![“There is no reason to think today's levels of [drug] addiction are anywhere near the levels that would be reached under legalization.” quote by George Will](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/f4a/george-will-1177_addiction_there-is-no-reason-to-think-today-s-leve_1703309.jpg)
![“Consider the sexual harassment which continually occurs between a secretary and a boss . . . while objectionable to many women, [it] is not a coercive action. It is rather part of a package deal in which the secretary agrees to all aspects of the job when she agrees to accept the job, and…” quote by Walter Block](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/af6/walter-block-52163_accepting_consider-the-sexual-harassment-which-con_1766533.jpg)
![“[The Dalai Lama] told me some years ago, "I've made every concession to China, and I've been as open and tolerant as I could, and still things get worse in Tibet." If you look at it from one point of view, as he himself says, his monastic position of forbearance and nonviolence hasn't reaped any…” quote by Pico Iyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/9fe/pico-iyer-1252_benefits_the-dalai-lama-told-me-some-years-ago-i_678.jpg)
