My suggestion on how to stop wasting my tax dollars.

  In 2008 it was estimated that our government spent $17 billion dollars on the failed war on drugs. It is time to re-evaluate our thinking on this. As a citizen, a consumer, and a taxpayer we should be entitled the right to question how our money is spent and why it's spent in the way it is.
  First, they will continue to collect this money even if the focus is redirected to another concept. Our drug problem in itself should not be considered a crime, it is a health and safety issue, I on the other hand disagree with classifying alcoholism as a disease, it's an addiction. In 1970 it was estimated that 1.3% the adult population had a drug problem, and that has remained the same for over 40 years. Drugs are here as they always have been so instead of continuing to fight it start using it to our advantage.
  Second, the money should be used on an accurate education of the people not the propaganda that we are being imposed upon to accept, open more rehab facilities if needed. The people of the DEA can then be re-employed as additional border patrol, councilors, customs agents, police officers, and as inspectors of the marijuana dispensaries for both medicinal and recreational uses. In doing this it will create a variety of opportunities to gain additional revenue, plus stop a lot of drug related violence. If the drug cartels want to continue doing business they should pay a tariff, any drugs coming in that hasn't had the tariff is confiscated and offered in an auction to legitimate and approved dispensaries for resale as long as it is unadulterated marijuana.This also frees up the police to pursue the violent criminals and the sex offenders   
   Third, quit incarcerating the citizens for simple marijuana possession or intent to distribute marijuana. It is estimated that it cost tax payers $20,000+ a year to house non-violent offenders and as they age that cost goes up. We spend more on those incarcerations, than most people working for minimum wage makes in a year. This is money that would be better used in education and health programs for the children and senior citizens in our communities.
   Fourth, it's time to stop acting like idiots, and start using the basic common sense and intelligence that I am confident every one has. Legalize, regulate, and tax marijuana.  By doing this it cuts into the drug cartels profits, marijuana makes up an estimated 50-65% of the drug cartels income. It will also stop them from destroying our national forest with their grow operations. And then considering the billions of dollars spent on marijuana going to the drug cartels, it will be spent here in the United States which will enrich our national economy.
   Fifth, by regulating it we won't have the drug cartels selling their marijuana to our children on the streets and making it harder for them to get. By taxing it the other taxes we already pay should never be raised. The taxes collected from the sale would then benefit everyone even if they don't approve marijuana legalization. It would also clear the courts of precious time giving everyone a fair and speedy trial.