Legalization of Drugs

[Bluebird]

What's your opinion on legalisation of drugs? Would you be ok with only certain drugs being taxed like tobacco and alcohol? Do you think the 'war on drugs' is a good thing?

This isn't meant as a confessional or illegal discussion, but I wondered what people thought about the laws surrounding drugs. 🙂

 

[david4wt]

I think that light drugs as marijuana and hashish should be legalized and taxed 🙂

 

[This Year's Girl]

I think the drugs that are illegal should stay illegal. The effect on peoples health, both physically and mentally, doesn't make the positive things about it worth it in my opinion. I can't really justify that alcohol and tobacco are legal either, but now that they are I don't think it would work to ban them. I think the system we have in Sweden, that alcohol is regulated by the state, is the best answer. 🙂

 

[Vamp Jenny]

I think the drugs that are illegal should stay illegal. The effect on peoples health, both physically and mentally, doesn't make the positive things about it worth it in my opinion. I can't really justify that alcohol and tobacco are legal either, but now that they are I don't think it would work to ban them. I think the system we have in Sweden, that alcohol is regulated by the state, is the best answer. 🙂

I agree. There is no good reason imo that could justify legalizing drugs. Tobacco should be banned too, but I know it'll never happen here, for it gives way too much money to the government...

I wouldn't ban alcohol, for I think the majority of people seem to be responsible with how much they take. Plus, here in Quebec, the % of people driving drunk has dropped down a lot in the last few years. As a society I think we are making it clear that drunk driving isn't something "cool". Of course, not everybody takes it seriously, but the society is aware that it is not something you want to be seen doing. And to come back to banning alcohol, I don't think it would resolve the problem of alcoholic people, because they could switch to something else...

 

[Kean]

I'd be open to a drugs being legalised on a trial basis, just to see what the difference is. I don't believe in the criminalisation of drug use, and it clearly isn't very effective. Where I am from drugs are a very real, very deadly problem. Not just the obvious affects it has on its users, but the gang war fare conducted by its dealers. The fact of the matter is, if someone wants to take drugs, they are going to do it. The legality of the act holds no bearing. On any given day I can walk up one of the main streets of my city and find dirty needles on the ground, as if they were as harmless and innocuous as chewing gum or sweet wrappers. For that reason alone I would like to see a legalised trial carried out, one where users, and addicts can avail of clean facilities and medical care.

 

[Washburne]

I don't remember where I heard it but the question was if drugs or certain drugs were made legal how much more would people use it. Considering how easy it seems to get drugs anyway and how many are using what would the difference become? Less criminals/law breakers but then what? Is there a big percentage of people that want to do drugs but stay away because it's illegal?

As for a personal opinion I have one. Based on the kind of life I've been living. Which has been more or less drug free. I know there can be certain good things from doing drugs, in moderate. That's just not what I've been seeing and of course that makes me biased. Just as others can be biased the other way. How many drug users think it's great that drugs are illegal and want to keep it that way? Overconsuming is never good be it alcohol, drugs, tobacco, sugar or food. An addiction in that way isn't good. Period.

No I don't think drugs should be legal. I just don't base that opinion on research or something else like that. I can't back it up with fact. Not that fact is always reliable. You can often twist and turn facts to support your stand.

 

[Tueuse de Vampires]

One thing I always liked about living in the Netherlands is that soft drugs (mostly weed) are legalized here.
However, there kind of trying to change that right now. Starting May 1st, 3 provinces of the Netherlands (including the one I 'live' in) are banning tourists completely from the coffe shops, you now need to be a Dutch resident to still be allowed access. (I technically live in Belgium...It's like 500 metres across the border from the Netherlands and my entire life (university, friends, party, shopping...) is there, but because of that I won't be allowed to buy any more weed.

I think this is really a step backwards. So do a lot of people, because they are expecting the drug related crime rate will go up.

One very interesting thing here is that apparently, in some coffeeshops, as much as 90% of the clientel is from abroad. I think that's rather telling of the effect of the decriminalization of weed in the Netherlands: it's lost a bit of its appeal to the people here, because they can just buy it like that, but of course foreigners who can't buy it in their own country are coming in because for them it still got that appeal.

I think weed should be legalized world wide. Fun fact, it's apparently less dangerous than alcohol. It might be detrimental to your lung capacity (well if you smoke it anyways), but so are normal ciarettes.

 

[SlayerFest]

I personally find it kind of ridiculous that weed is illegal...there are some pretty good reasons as to why it should be legalized. I put a star next to the ones I really agree with.

-The drug generally isn't more harmful than alcohol or tobacco if used in moderation.*
-Legalization would mean a lower price; thus, related crimes (like theft) would be reduced.*
-There are medical benefits such as the those for cancer patients.*
-Street justice related to drug disputes would be reduced.*
-It could be a source of additional tax revenues.*
-Police and court resources would be freed up for more serious crimes.*
-Drug dealers (including some terrorists) would lose most or all of their business.*
-The FDA or others could regulate the quality and safety of drugs.
-Aside from recreational drug use, Cannabis has several industrial and commercial uses, as over 25,000 products can be made from the crop.
-Drug busts often trap young people in a flawed system that turns them into lifelong criminals.*
(I might as well have starred them all...haha)

Here are some reasons as to why it shouldn't be, that are you know...reasonable (for the most part):

Marijuana is often used as a stepping-stone drug, leading to heroin, cocaine, or other harder drugs.

Stoned driving and other dangers would be increased.

Some consider use of the drug as morally wrong. (I don't really care about this haha)

Legalization would increase the chances of the drug falling into the hands of kids.

Because of drug-related arrests, people who have committed or are likely to commit more serious crimes can be taken off the streets.

Physical damage would be done to users that abuse the drug.

More widespread use would increase the dangers of secondhand smoke-damage to bystanders.

Legalization of marijuana could eventually lead to the legalization of harder drugs or all drugs altogether. (okay...no)


People who smoke marijuana, don't care that it is illegal. It is so easy to get (especially in freaking California) that I just don't see the point in it being illegal. Tobacco does more harm, and it's legal. I don't see the logic there. I don't smoke it, but I know plenty of people who smoke it in moderation, who are intelligent, responsible, and in college. I find the argument that legalization of marijuana will lead to the legalization of harder drugs...absurd.

 

[WWGD]

The war on drugs is a complete waste of the U.S. government's energy and time. Unfortunately they are making more money off of the illegal trafficking of drugs than they would if it was legalized. Yes, there is mass corruption in many countries governments and they do control imports and exports of illegal drugs. This leads to people who seek to purchase these drugs entering into dangerous situations that would not exist were most drugs legal and regulated, as well as unfortunate situations and deaths from the misuse of these drugs. Again, if they were legal and regulated there would be much more education about them.

I think that status of drugs is absolutely absurd. People will get drugs that are illegal if they want to either way. There will always be people who abuse drugs, it makes no sense to focus on that specific group as a reason for outlawing drugs in general. We as a culture would immensely benefit from the legalization and research of the current illegal drugs. There's a lot of rich corrupt people out there that would not benefit from that, however... and that is the main reason why the drug status is the way it is now.

I'll end with a quote from one of my favorite people in life (relating back to what I said about drug abuse):
"People say 'well you can abuse marijuana'. Well shit, you can abuse cheeseburgers too you know. You don't go around closing Burger King because you could abuse something. I can take a ****in fork and jam it in my eyeball, does that mean forks should be illegal? I can jump off a bridge, should we outlaw bridges? Let's nerf the world!" -Joe Rogan
[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nr6cd44i_xI"]Joe Rogan on Marijuana legalization - YouTube[/ame]

 

[Ripper666]

No. I am totally against it. The drugs are illegal out of certain reasons. They are not just for fun forbidden. It's one thing if they are illegal and still bought or taxed and bought legal. Economical it would give the stated a lot money, on the other hand they would leave a lot of people with destroyed bodys and minds. You can decide inwhich society you want to life.

 

[JCoatsworth]

I'm against it. I even think that the use of legal drugs such as alcohol and cigarettes should be controlled more in some countries.
I'm a non-smoker and drink almost no alcohol and I don't think that it should be made completely illegal, but it's definitely too easy for kids to own legal drugs.

 

[SlayerFest]

The war on drugs is a complete waste of the U.S. government's energy and time. Unfortunately they are making more money off of the illegal trafficking of drugs than they would if it was legalized. Yes, there is mass corruption in many countries governments and they do control imports and exports of illegal drugs. This leads to people who seek to purchase these drugs entering into dangerous situations that would not exist were most drugs legal and regulated, as well as unfortunate situations and deaths from the misuse of these drugs. Again, if they were legal and regulated there would be much more education about them.

I think that status of drugs is absolutely absurd. People will get drugs that are illegal if they want to either way. There will always be people who abuse drugs, it makes no sense to focus on that specific group as a reason for outlawing drugs in general. We as a culture would immensely benefit from the legalization and research of the current illegal drugs. There's a lot of rich corrupt people out there that would not benefit from that, however... and that is the main reason why the drug status is the way it is now.

I'll end with a quote from one of my favorite people in life (relating back to what I said about drug abuse):
"People say 'well you can abuse marijuana'. Well shit, you can abuse cheeseburgers too you know. You don't go around closing Burger King because you could abuse something. I can take a ****in fork and jam it in my eyeball, does that mean forks should be illegal? I can jump off a bridge, should we outlaw bridges? Let's nerf the world!" -Joe Rogan

Haha sorry! I accidentally gave you a neg rep grr. I totally agree with everything you said though. I feel as if a lot of people who believe that weed should be illegal...are a bit confused or they have been misinformed. Well, I guess it's a combination of both haha. I mean if everything that was bad for us was outlawed, freaking tobacco would not be legal! There is no such thing as smoking in moderation.

The government doesn't give a kitty about us.

 

[Tueuse de Vampires]

No. I am totally against it. The drugs are illegal out of certain reasons. They are not just for fun forbidden. It's one thing if they are illegal and still bought or taxed and bought legal. Economical it would give the stated a lot money, on the other hand they would leave a lot of people with destroyed bodys and minds. You can decide inwhich society you want to life.

Because in the Netherlands, we're all wrecks.


Seriously, with such a good example of what a country with legalized soft drugs would look like, I don't understand how people can claim it'd make things even worse.

Another great example is the Prohibition in America in the 20's (with alcohol being the drug here). Can anyone honestly say that helped the country in any way? Illegalisation is not the answer.

 

[kittenpoker]

I'm for it.... at least the decriminalization of drugs. The fact that they're illegal leads to so much violence and death, not to mention the overcrowding of prisons - filled with non violent offenders.

 

[BuffyElevated]

I think the drugs that are illegal should stay illegal. The effect on peoples health, both physically and mentally, doesn't make the positive things about it worth it in my opinion. I can't really justify that alcohol and tobacco are legal either, but now that they are I don't think it would work to ban them. I think the system we have in Sweden, that alcohol is regulated by the state, is the best answer. 🙂

I agree with this. I think the bad outweighs the good in this case. As long as drugs like Marinol can be used for cancer patients and other people who are so sick they need the drug's effects to make them feel better, I see no reason to legalize marijuana or any other drugs. It's obvious that people who want to use drugs are going to get them, one way or the other, so there's not much that can be done to stop that. But making it easier for them to get it is only going to cause problems, in my opinion.

 

[Washburne]

-The drug generally isn't more harmful than alcohol or tobacco if used in moderation.*

Do you know how it looks if it's not used in moderation? I got no idea which will be worst. That using lots of alcohol or tobacco isn't good for you is common knowledge. At least here. I'm a lot more clueless when it come to weed so I need information.

"People say 'well you can abuse marijuana'. Well shit, you can abuse cheeseburgers too you know. You don't go around closing Burger King because you could abuse something. I can take a ****in fork and jam it in my eyeball, does that mean forks should be illegal? I can jump off a bridge, should we outlaw bridges?

Everything can be abused. As I said before. To me it's more a question of addiction. How easy it is to get hooked which in the end leads to abuse. No matter what we're talking about if you on a regular basis or in certain situations need something that isn't vital to continue your life you're in trouble. Sadly, in my eyes, that definitely go for some when it comes to both alcohol and tobacco. So I have no trouble at all understanding when people complain about them being legal. Even if that's most often used as a point to show why drugs should be legal. Not why alcohol and tobacco should be illegal.

Then there's the question of purpose. Bridges aren't made for jumping off. Drugs are made to be taken. Burgers are made to be eaten but we need to eat to survive. What comes from using things the way they were intended? Which is more suited for a discussion of guns being legal or not. That's just not a discussion to take here.

Now I'm guessing it might seem like I'm hating on drugs and possibly the people using them. That wasn't my point. Just some thoughts I have and I'm sorry if it sounded like something else.

---------- Post added at 07:58 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:53 PM ----------

One thing I always liked about living in the Netherlands is that soft drugs (mostly weed) are legalized here.

Too bad about the memory loss though.

In case you don't remember. 😉

 

[WWGD]

Then there's the question of purpose. Bridges aren't made for jumping off. Drugs are made to be taken. Burgers are made to be eaten but we need to eat to survive. What comes from using things the way they were intended?

I'm sorry, but this makes absolutely no sense. Bridges are made to be crossed, not to kill yourself on. Burgers are made to be eaten, not degrade your health and risk death as a consequence (heartattacks, etc.). Drugs are made to get you high, not to kill you or make you addicted. People can and do get mentally addicted to things other than drugs. Not all drugs are physically addicting either.

You make it seem as if drugs were designed to kill people or destroy their lives. Absolutely not.

 

[ashleigh]

There's no point in drug use being illegal. People who are addicted are gonna do anything to get their hands on it.

If there was anyway to regulate drugs properly, then of course make them illegal. But there's not, so they may as well be legalized and consequently taxed 🙂

However, that is my core belief without looking at any kinds of statistics because I'm far to lazy for that 😛

 

[Washburne]

You make it seem as if drugs were designed to kill people or destroy their lives. Absolutely not.

When I failed big time. Drugs aren't weapons.

The question was more "What happens if you use it the way it was intended?" Can be seen as using it once in a while or very often. It goes for absolutely everything. Not just drugs. I must have done a bad job trying to show that. What are the consequences for using this or that in the "right" way? Right being the intended way.

 

[Ianigsy]

I don't have a strong point of view either way- the very illegality of drugs means that there isn't the reliable research to say what the effects on society would be if certain drugs were more readily available. I've noticed that more people seem to be smoking pot on the streets of the city where I live, however, probably in the knowledge that it's a hassle from the police's point of view to have to book them for possession of small amounts which may not be enough to be worthwhile prosecuting for. There also seems to be a steady demand for legal highs, however, and the producers get around any legislation by just changing the formula slightly so it's a different chemical and the government has to pass a new amendment to the law to get it banned again. And then there's energy drinks, which also seem to be all over the place nowadays.

Personally I think it's more important to understand why people get into drugs and understand something about that- whether it's a lack of aspiration, boredom or expectations of life. I speak as somebody who takes medication for depression- the fact of it is that I function better as a person because of these tablets, which takes us into a very grey area indeed.