Yes, I know about the Portuguese experience. You might avoid a "projected increase in problems" through legalization...but I wonder.   My point is, you may not INCREASE drug use by all of these humane (and they are) drug initiatives.  But my guess is you won't lower them much, either. 

Result: more cost to the taxpayer. 

Liquor prohibition made criminals out of next door neighbours. No amount of policing "solved" the problem.  Some were drunks during prohibition, it 's true. However, the number of drunks increased after provinces went wet. Why not? Legalizing took the nasty social stigma out of drinking...and a whole lot more of those drunks were...women, most of whom wouldn't touched a drink during prohibition.  Would legalization of hard drugs do the same?  If not, why not?