This bill seems like it might be a big win for elephant conservation, but I can't help but to reflect back on 1920 during the prohibition. The intent of the program was to reduce the crime rate by banning alcohol, but the result was the opposite. Since alcohal was illegal to sell, it raised it's price on the black market and made people do sketchy things to get it into the hands of the buyers. In that particular case, by making it illegal, it really only raised the interest of it by money-seekers who were willing to do whatever it took to make the sale.
The optimist in me really hopes that this will discourage people more than draw them in since elephant pouching is a lot more difficult than back yard brewing. A separate part of me, however screams that there needs to be additional precautions in place to really stop the desire of Ivory. Unfortunately, as long as it has utility, people will always seek it out, but if somehow a suitable replacement can take it's place that doesn't involve killing animals, the problem may persist.
Honestly, if they found a way to devalue Ivory, that might be all it takes. Perhaps if on a legal trade market lowered it's cost, it would cause people to resell it for higher, but without needing another source for that exchange... Like double spending for it. I'm not sure. I guess we'll see in 2021 what happens. Thank you for the post, I learned a little today.