Criminal networks switch to other crimes
Existing criminal networks would simply move on to other crimes—for example, a black market in cheaper, counterfeit and probably contaminated drugs.
A black market – probably a large-scale black market – in drugs would quickly develop. This market would deal not only in cheaper supplies of drugs but also in counterfeit and, almost certainly, contaminated drugs.
Criminal gangs would dominate this black market just as they now dominate the existing black market, and they would import legal drugs illegally just as the now import illegal drugs illegally.
Smuggling would be rife. Not only that, but there is a distinct possibility that criminal gangs would be more likely to fight among themselves – possibly violently – because the amount of turf available in the new black market would be diminished.