The DEA was appropriated a budget of $2.3 billion dollars for the fiscal year of 2012, and while a complete liquidation may not be necessary, the funding must be re-evaluated. While funding in some areas of the administration are seemingly appropriated towards national safety--i.e. hazardous material clean-up--it's not gearing for a nuclear disaster or cleaning up a chemical spill. The areas being funded are focused on indictment and criminalization fueled by differing opinions on the use of certain substances. This spending does not generate any return funding. Instead of criminalizing a potentially taxable trade, it should be regulated and become its own non-patented industry. Refocusing the budget has a potential to decrease our deficit in numerous ways if done carefully.



