Legalization of ALL drugs

[GEddie]

yes, and i would say drugs defile the human body even more than prostitution. sex is at least natural whereas ingesting harmful chemicals leave permanent damage as well as physically and emotionally harm the innocent people around the addict.
though prostitution is also pretty severe because it is one of the most selfish things a person can do. sell his/ her God given body for money. sex is a gift which should be given freely or not at all.
all thyes ethings must be banned: drugs, alcohol, prostitution

Prostitution is a defilement of the human body at least as bad as drug use because it turns body’s procreative function into an article of commerce.

As to “natural”, you must not have heard the scores of folks on this system who say “pot is natural, so using it must be ok”!!!

The problem concerning alcohol is that our LORD HIMself used it, and we should not try to improve on HIM!

ICXC NIKA

 

[miguel]

Can a Catholic support the legalization of all drugs in good conscience? In my opinion it is a clear no. We are not talking just about marijuana but all drugs (crack, cocaine, heroine, etc). Aren’t we required to take care of our bodies and since it is clear that these drugs can seriously harm ourselves then we can’t support the legalization of all drugs.

For the purpose of this discussion legalization doesn’t only mean passing laws to protect that but the removal of punishments that are currently associated with it.

I like this discussion. I think a Catholic should morally oppose the abuse of alcohol and other substances. Granted, substance abuse is a huge problem. But do all Catholics have to agree that criminilization is the best policy to deal with substance abuse? This country experimented with prohibition of alcohol. The experiment was well-intentioned but it failed. It caused more harm than good. It was repealed. It is my opinion that all of the lessons learned with the attempted prohibition of alcohol could be applied to any other substance. The problem with criminilization, to quote the notorious Al Capone, “it is the best thing that ever happened to my business.” Criminilization puts all legitimate sellers out of business. The only sellers that remain are ruthless gangsters. The policy guarantees gangsters monopoly control of distribution and price. And big money flows into their pockets because demand doesn’t disappear just because the feds pass a law. Alcohol abuse is still a huge problem. But if anyone suggested that folks should be imprisoned for selling or drinking alcohol, we’d laugh. We also don’t just let them sink or swim. Many treatment programs have evolved over the years to help people struggling with addiction. This is much more humane than letting them rot in prison. Why can’t we try this approach with other substances? Sadly, there are powerful political forces that exist and that crank out propaganda against this approach with other substances. We spend billions every year in the war on drugs. The beneficiaries of that waste of taxpayer money don’t want this to change (e.g., law enforcement agencies, prison officials, oh, and gangsters).

 

[Arizona_Mike]

I don’t know anyone who was raised by someone who used illicit drugs that turned out better for the experience.

 

[Tony2255]

The “it’s natural” argument doesn’t always work. Hemlock is natural but you don’t want to be ingesting it. The chewing of cocoa leave is a common treatment for altitude sickness in Peru. One look at their teeth and you’d think twice. Process the leaf and you get cocaine used in crack. Would we say crack is good?

I think marijuana will eventually find tolerance very similar to alcohol. I think the difficulty with classifying marijuana is it’s immediate danger. When was the last time you heard someone die from an overdoes of marijuana? Marijuana laced with PCP or other substances is different. This is not to say marijuana is safe it still contains over 400 chemicals. Then again look at tobacco.

I think we’ll be powerless to stop the eventual legalization of marijuana and should probably focus on it’s regulation. Similar to alcohol and tobacco. But even those are lacking in my opinion.

I would still teach my children that it’s use should be avoided or limited because of the dangers associated or resulting from it. Same as I do with tobacco, energy drinks, caffeine, prescription meds, and alcohol.

Moving from California to South Carolina I found the law prohibiting the sale of alcohol on Sundays inconvenient and overly restrictive. Ten years later I’ve come to appreciate and support the law. If you cant go ONE day without buying alcohol, then maybe you need to reassess your priorities.

Wine in the time of Jesus had a much lower alcohol content and was more akin to vinegar. Wine and beer were consumed due to the lack of potable water. Alcohol’s antiseptic power made it free of pathogens and safer to drink.

 

[someperson555]

Prostitution is a defilement of the human body at least as bad as drug use because it turns body’s procreative function into an article of commerce.

As to “natural”, you must not have heard the scores of folks on this system who say “pot is natural, so using it must be ok”!!!

The problem concerning alcohol is that our LORD HIMself used it, and we should not try to improve on HIM!

ICXC NIKA

well in this case, what i meant by “natural” is that prostitution is at least closer to the natural order. since its still a man and a woman having procreative unitive sex (if you would be willing to practice NFP with a prostitute). prostitution can also be (dare i say) a positive thing because it can act as a deterrent from more serious sins such as masturbation and rape.
however i still would wholeheartedly support a ban on prostitution. although i believe that society should work to help its citizens financially so that young people could marry earlier and be safe from sexual temptation altogether.
as for drugs, i lived next to alcoholics and drug addicts my entire life, so i believe that drugs are more harmful than prostitution therefore society should first focus on banning that.
i know that our lord also drank wine, but he never got drunk. and that is no good reason to keep it legal. im sure Jesus would be happy if everyone were to trash their booze, and instead give their beer money to charity. i just dont understand why people like to drink, so you feel good for a few hours, then you wake up in the morning with a splitting headache. what did you gain? nothing, you just paid money for a hangover lol.

 

[someperson555]

The “it’s natural” argument doesn’t always work. Hemlock is natural but you don’t want to be ingesting it. The chewing of cocoa leave is a common treatment for altitude sickness in Peru. One look at their teeth and you’d think twice. Process the leaf and you get cocaine used in crack. Would we say crack is good?

I think marijuana will eventually find tolerance very similar to alcohol. I think the difficulty with classifying marijuana is it’s immediate danger. When was the last time you heard someone die from an overdoes of marijuana? Marijuana laced with PCP or other substances is different. This is not to say marijuana is safe it still contains over 400 chemicals. Then again look at tobacco.

I think we’ll be powerless to stop the eventual legalization of marijuana and should probably focus on it’s regulation. Similar to alcohol and tobacco. But even those are lacking in my opinion.

I would still teach my children that it’s use should be avoided or limited because of the dangers associated or resulting from it. Same as I do with tobacco, energy drinks, caffeine, prescription meds, and alcohol.

Moving from California to South Carolina I found the law prohibiting the sale of alcohol on Sundays inconvenient and overly restrictive. Ten years later I’ve come to appreciate and support the law. If you cant go ONE day without buying alcohol, then maybe you need to reassess your priorities.

Wine in the time of Jesus had a much lower alcohol content and was more akin to vinegar. Wine and beer were consumed due to the lack of potable water. Alcohol’s antiseptic power made it free of pathogens and safer to drink.

 

[Mike_Pasamano]

No! That stuff screws with people’s brains, steals their hearts, and ruins theirs and their families’ lives! That’s why it’s illegal! By the way, marijuana isn’t a drug! It’s a natural herb that can treat cancer and even stress! By the way, I’ve never used it.

 

[Kevin_B]

I like this discussion. I think a Catholic should morally oppose the abuse of alcohol and other substances. Granted, substance abuse is a huge problem. But do all Catholics have to agree that criminilization is the best policy to deal with substance abuse? This country experimented with prohibition of alcohol. The experiment was well-intentioned but it failed. It caused more harm than good. It was repealed. It is my opinion that all of the lessons learned with the attempted prohibition of alcohol could be applied to any other substance. The problem with criminilization, to quote the notorious Al Capone, “it is the best thing that ever happened to my business.” Criminilization puts all legitimate sellers out of business. The only sellers that remain are ruthless gangsters. The policy guarantees gangsters monopoly control of distribution and price. And big money flows into their pockets because demand doesn’t disappear just because the feds pass a law. Alcohol abuse is still a huge problem. But if anyone suggested that folks should be imprisoned for selling or drinking alcohol, we’d laugh. We also don’t just let them sink or swim. Many treatment programs have evolved over the years to help people struggling with addiction. This is much more humane than letting them rot in prison. Why can’t we try this approach with other substances? Sadly, there are powerful political forces that exist and that crank out propaganda against this approach with other substances. We spend billions every year in the war on drugs. The beneficiaries of that waste of taxpayer money don’t want this to change (e.g., law enforcement agencies, prison officials, oh, and gangsters).

Correct. Also think about this: who is more likely to sell marijuana to a minor? A licensed dispensary, which could lose its license, or a drug dealer who is already flaunting the law and has nothing else to lose?

As someone who indulged in these activities myself, I can promise you it is much easier for a minor to get pot than alcohol or even cigarettes. If you want minors to have less access to drugs, the best way to do this is legalize them.