Gary E. Johnson

Gary E. Johnson is the former governor of New Mexico. In the following viewpoint Johnson contends that the war on drugs has failed—even after spending billions of dollars on the war, millions of Americans still use illegal drugs. He maintains that if drugs are legalized, drug use will hold steady or decline. In addition, if drugs are legalized, the government can control, regulate, and tax them. According to Johnson, if drugs are legalized, the money spent on the war on drugs could then be redirected toward fighting crime and enforcing new drug laws.

As you read, consider the following questions:

1. How does Johnson characterize drugs and drug use?
2. If drugs are legalized, what are a few of the new laws Johnson proposes to regulate the sale and use of drugs?
3. How does Johnson respond...