Allow me to bring up a problem with the legalizing drug thing that a lot of folks miss. If you take the profit out of it the crooks will just turn to other crime to support themselves. Do you actually think that the meth freaks, crackheads, junkies and the big time dealers will actually get a legal job when that source of cash is shut off? Most, if not all, are addicts with a record. Who will hire them and at what wages? Do you think that some gang member with a felony record, a hatred of squares, a third grade education and a habit who is used to easy money is going to start flipping burgers or collecting shopping carts? Aside from the fact that most employers require drug and background tests, these guys ain't gonna work. They will turn to armed robbery, home invasion and kidnapping. Oh, BTW, with harsher sentencing, they don't leave witnesses.
I don't really see what those types are going to do which is worse than what they're doing now...
A lot (if not most) of the people you are describing commit crimes in order to get cash for drugs. If drugs are legal and available, the price of drugs will drop like a led balloon. No need to commit crimes when drugs are cheap and easy to get. The war on drugs has made matters worse by driving the price of drugs through the roof. More crime is needed to pay for them.