Illegal drugs just have the right risk/return balance. Legalizing would change that (probably a race to the bottom for cost). While this would disrupt a cartel'

Illegal drugs just have the right risk/return balance. Legalizing would change that (probably a race to the bottom for cost). While this would disrupt a cartel's primary cash flow for a short period, there are still plenty of illegal things to move (secretly) and sell - weapons, humans, counterfeits, actually dangerous drugs which would probably remain illegal (meth, cocaine, heroine). Legalization might hurt a cartel long enough for them to be unable to pivot, but like any business, they've found an expense to cost ratio that they like. When their industry (again, largely transportation of contraband) Is disrupted, they will die, but more likely adapt.