Eradicating Much of the Black Market

Making all financial transactions digital would effect all facets of society in ways that are unprecedented in history, thus a pleasure to contemplate.

Perhaps, the interesting feature of this development is that it would eliminate the incentive responsible for almost all armed robberies. In most cases, the robber's incentive is to steal cash. In recent years, robberies have been a growing problem. This growth correlates with that of the 'black market.' I understand that the 'black market' is a broad definition, but much of it is influenced by the supply and demand of illegal substances. To successfully break down this black market and reduce the violence, developing a cash-less economy can merely be the first step of four.

The development will make drug-dealer's tradeoff much worse; the 'pushers' must resort to new methods. Here, that would involve bartering goods or digital transactions - both of which would leave a trace in the transparant economic system. The homogeneus population size and geographical isolation of Iceland are the ideal conditions for the proto-transformation. The public has the opportunity to learn from previous mistakes and adopt conditions that will reduce both supply and demand on the black market.

Once we adopt to new needs and develop the digital economy, the second phase must be the temporary increase in support to those who are compelled to use illegal substances. If we are to shut off supply, we must attend to those who demand.

The third step must be the de-criminalization of cannabis. Cannabis, according to WHO Drug Report 2005, comprises about 80% of all illegal substances demanded. This step is essential, because, it would reduce the number of people who seek/demand, as well as the income to suppliers, by 80%

Keep in mind that the objective is to eradicate the black market. The consequences of cannabis prohibition are much worse than the action, or substance, that is prohibited.

It is rather easy to justify the de-criminalization. If, the incentive and justification for the prohibition of cannabis, and 'the war on drugs' at large, is that the governemnt must protect the ignorant individual, then, there must, necessarily, be a correlation between the damaging effects of the substances and their status held in laws. Moreover, if cannabis is 'less intoxic' than tobacco and/or alcohol (studies indicate so) then the discrimination within law violates several articles prescribed in the UNIVERSAL DECLARATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS - the 7th in particular.

Not only is the prohibition illegal itself, but its consequences on society are more severe than the prohibited drug could ever be. Author has argued how de-criminalization of cannabis would effect the supply of 'illegal drugs,' but not how it effects the demand. Today, the education offered to the young, as well as the laws which prescribe society's 'rules,' does not correlate with current scientific knowledge.

Once the young are exposed to the scientific information publically available, they realize that it is not parallel to their educated values and understanding of these substances. This contradiction shatters any credibility that the drug prevention education had and the young seek answers from peers (who wish to impress) and through personal experimentation. Once cannabis has been de-criminalized, there will exist a clear distinction between legal and illegal drugs that will improve the education of their harmfulness. Therefore, the fourth and final step, must be the advancing of drug policy and drug prevention education.