Should Drugs Be Legalized?

[UnworthyApostle]

I am on the fence of this one. I tend to be somewhat of a moderate libertarian politically. I see that if drugs are legalized, then the drug war could be ended, and a good deal of tax money could be made off it. Now, I also see that doing so may injure the common good of society due to many hardcore drugs such as crack, meth, and LSD. So, I would like to hear what other people may think about this issue. God Bless.

 

[JimG]

I would not like to see a lot of crack moms and spaced out dads neglecting children.

 

[sleeping_gecko]

But don’t you realize?! If drugs are legalized, people will abuse them!!!

There certainly is a good, logical argument for the legalization of drugs, and it seems like the OP understands it.

The US tried to prohibit alcohol, and it didn’t work. People kept drinking, but the money went to criminals.

Now, drug money goes to gangs and murderous cartels. If hard drugs are made into semi-controlled substances, then gangs will lose their funding. Why buy illegally from a criminal when you could buy legally (and cheaply/safely/etc) from a drugstore?

Just like alcohol, if someone abuses drugs and drives/hits or neglects children/commits any crime, they would be punished.

The war on drugs isn’t doing anything but burning (non-existent) money and funding organized criminals.

 

[white_sheep]

If we do we should also legalize prostitution just to be consistent.

 

[Miserissima]

This is a tough one. Please watch “American Meth,” which you can pick up from Netflix, Blockbuster, etc. regarding druggie parents. Quite disturbing. If you think marijuana is innocent, check out the Showtime series, “Weeds.” It’s only slightly sensationalized. Drug money – unregulated drug money – supports crime and

As far as the morality of selling, using, growing/creating drugs goes, there is a time to fight injustice and there is a time to “render unto Caesar.” I firmly believe that this is a case where we need to acquiese to our legislative body and elected representatives because of the effect of illegal drugs (and prescription drug abuse) on the user – as well as the far-reaching consequences of the drug wars both in the Americas and abroad.

The drug trade has even perverted the faith of many Catholics, which is quite disturbing. There is a Robin Hood-esque folk hero named a saint, and “Holy Death” is actively sought as a patroness: ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2010/05/mexico-saints/guillermoprieto-text/1 .

 

[colmywaykurtz]

But don’t you realize?! If drugs are legalized, people will abuse them!!!

There certainly is a good, logical argument for the legalization of drugs, and it seems like the OP understands it.

The US tried to prohibit alcohol, and it didn’t work. People kept drinking, but the money went to criminals.

Now, drug money goes to gangs and murderous cartels. If hard drugs are made into semi-controlled substances, then gangs will lose their funding. Why buy illegally from a criminal when you could buy legally (and cheaply/safely/etc) from a drugstore?

Just like alcohol, if someone abuses drugs and drives/hits or neglects children/commits any crime, they would be punished.

The war on drugs isn’t doing anything but burning (non-existent) money and funding organized criminals.

I tend to agree. Also, the empowerment of a criminal element adds to the mystique and interest that drugs generate, and makes it attractive to youth looking for something to rebel against.

And this all-or-nothing approach to drugs is destructive. Some drugs perhaps shouldn’t be totally legalized for indiscriminate purchase and use, but should still be allowable with some restrictions, and/or as subjects of research for medical and therapeutic purposes.

The perfect contemporary example would be Salvia divinorum. In my state, one has to be eighteen to purchase it or use it, and we’ve experienced no upswing in crime or accidents because of this. And pharmacologist and ethnobotanist Daniel Siebert points out that it shows great promise as a therapeutic tool to treat ordinary depression and perhaps even OCD as well.

Some should not be available for recreational use, but are still medically useful. Medicinal marijuana has an unquestioned ability to relieve ocular pressure for people with glaucoma, and to alleviate nausea induced by chemotherapy.

 

[Miserissima]

I agree that if we derive THC from cannabis, then it can have great medicinal value. I would like to see the drug used in regulated pharmacology.

I tend to agree. Also, the empowerment of a criminal element adds to the mystique and interest that drugs generate, and makes it attractive to youth looking for something to rebel against.

And this all-or-nothing approach to drugs is destructive. Some drugs perhaps shouldn’t be totally legalized for indiscriminate purchase and use, but should still be allowable with some restrictions, and/or as subjects of research for medical and therapeutic purposes.

In charity, I must say that that argument seems to counter itself. How do you explain the upswing in juveniles and young adults stealing prescription medication(s) from their parents? There is no “criminal element” that “adds to the mystique and interest that drugs generate,” in that sense, unless you think Pfizer is a cartel.

 

[white_sheep]

I agree that if we derive THC from cannabis, then it can have great medicinal value. I would like to see the drug used in regulated pharmacology.

In charity, I must say that that argument seems to counter itself. How do you explain the upswing in juveniles and young adults stealing prescription medication(s) from their parents? There is no “criminal element” that “adds to the mystique and interest that drugs generate,” in that sense, unless you think Pfizer is a cartel.

They already did that, it’s called marinol. The problem is that medicinal users don’t care if it is a more effective medicine and far less dangerous to your health, smoking weed is more fun.

 

[WatchingMedia]

Legalized drugs have destroyed society in Amsterdam. Children are raising their addicted parents.
Promoting drug addiction is wrong and harmful to the individual and society. It lowers productivity and all other values that Society holds dear.

Just like anything else, when a Country legalizes something, it says to its Citizens - that it is a good thing.
Not to bring in another topic, but that is what the USA did when legalizing abortion - the government said its OK and therefore there is nothing wrong with it. Now the US has over 1M abortions on demand per year.

 

[JoanREDirector]

Legalizing recreational drugs has already been tried in some European countries - Holland and Great Britan come to mind. How well has it worked out for them? Doesn’t somebody out there have any stats for those countries?

 

[stephe1987]

If drugs were legalized, they would be safer to use than they are now because they would have regular dosages as opposed to now where people can make them however “hard” or “soft” they want.

But most drugs are not safe and even when safe ones are prescribed they’re given in small dosages and patients are watched and have to visit the doctor to get refills.

I don’t the prostitution will be safe, even if it’s legal. There are too many diseases out there. Some people talk about “high class” ones that always use condoms but they aren’t waiting a month plus to test her for all known STDs and get results before allowing her to see another client. They are assuming the condoms never have small holes, tears, etc. and even when used properly there is about 1 in 12 chance of slippage/breakage. That is very risky and will lead to more widespread STDs. We already have a huge problem as it is. I think it might help in some cases for women to be protected from abuse, but mostly I think it will just spread disease.

As for abortion, the whole point of legalizing them was so that people would do it at a doctor’s office which is safer than a home abortion. But people still do home abortions anyway, and abortion clinics aren’t required to report child abuse in the same way teachers or other professionals are required to report it. This has led to several cases of repeated rape/abortion before someone was caught. And of course this is hidden from parents who should be allowed to help their daughters.

Legalizing something does give the message that something is okay. But is it worth funding gangs to keep drugs illegal? Alcohol is legal, but it’s not as harmful as some drugs are, and people get in trouble if they do something stupid such as drunk driving.

 

[TEPO]

I am on the fence of this one. I tend to be somewhat of a moderate libertarian politically. I see that if drugs are legalized, then the drug war could be ended, and a good deal of tax money could be made off it. Now, I also see that doing so may injure the common good of society due to many hardcore drugs such as crack, meth, and LSD. So, I would like to hear what other people may think about this issue. God Bless.

Highly addictive drugs should never be legalized period, since it’s essentially the addiction itself as opposed to the drug that causes sin… That is unless the drug causes abnormal sexual, criminal or sloth-like behaviors, those too become problematic…

 

[TheQuestioner]

But don’t you realize?! If drugs are legalized, people will abuse them!!!

There certainly is a good, logical argument for the legalization of drugs, and it seems like the OP understands it.

The US tried to prohibit alcohol, and it didn’t work. People kept drinking, but the money went to criminals.

Now, drug money goes to gangs and murderous cartels. If hard drugs are made into semi-controlled substances, then gangs will lose their funding. Why buy illegally from a criminal when you could buy legally (and cheaply/safely/etc) from a drugstore?

Just like alcohol, if someone abuses drugs and drives/hits or neglects children/commits any crime, they would be punished.

The war on drugs isn’t doing anything but burning (non-existent) money and funding organized criminals.

You guys realize that these same type of arguments are used to justify abortion right?

In terms of legalizing a substance, whether or not criminals are involved should not matter. Just like some food and even some medicines, the same questions should be asked. Is it safe? (for most hard drugs, no) What are the after effects? (Cigarettes are highly addictive but a single cigarette is essentially harmless, however a single line of coke is much more addictive and too much too quickly can kill you) Does it have any health benefits? (most drugs, no, or in small doses if at all) And who will be allowed to distribute it? If meth was legalized it would be a disaster in society. Have you seen a meth addict? Much less attractive than a pot smoker.

 

[Black_Rose]

I am on the fence of this one. I tend to be somewhat of a moderate libertarian politically. I see that if drugs are legalized, then the drug war could be ended, and a good deal of tax money could be made off it. Now, I also see that doing so may injure the common good of society due to many hardcore drugs such as crack, meth, and LSD. So, I would like to hear what other people may think about this issue. God Bless.

I do not think the hardcore stuff should be legalized since it would be inconsistent with my political philosophy to advocate for their legalization. One my political heroes is Lin Zexu, a bureaucrat for the Qing Dynasty known for his competence and high moral standards, who opposed the Western importation of opium although it is was futile effort since China lost the first Opium War. Marijuana, I am very lenient towards since I do not regard it as a poison on society

 

[BobObob]

As one person has already noted, just like alcohol, having other recreational drugs illegal usually causes more problems than it solves.

Drugs will be used regardless of legality. Numbers regarding the alcohol usage during prohibition vary considerably, but my history professor told me that alcohol consumption during prohibition was 2/3 what it was before prohibition. Was all that trouble worth it to lower consumption by 1/3 (especially considering that it probably only eliminated casual drinkers, not abusers)? Some numbers even say that alcohol consumption went UP during prohibition.

Legalized drugs have destroyed society in Amsterdam. Children are raising their addicted parents.

It’s interesting that a much higher % of people in the US, where marijuana is illegal, uses marijuana than the % of people in the Netherlands, where marijuana is legal.

Also, I’ve heard that the people in the Netherlands, even in Amsterdam, tend to be very morally upright individuals, and that it’s the tourists (largely from America) who are immoral.

Promoting drug addiction is wrong and harmful to the individual and society. It lowers productivity and all other values that Society holds dear.

Just like anything else, when a Country legalizes something, it says to its Citizens - that it is a good thing.

Legalizing something isn’t the same as condoning or promoting it. In this so-called “land of liberty” why can’t we neither have our government subsidize nor stop things? Why can’t we believe in individual responsibility rather than look to government to tell us what to do or not to do?

Regarding the legality of drugs, or anything for that matter, you have to ask yourself what the purpose of government is. If the purpose of the government is to secure liberty, than recreational drugs should be legal (anyone who uses them may be voluntary messing up their life) while abortion should be illegal (how can government protect a baby’s liberty without preventing him from being murdered). However, if the government’s job is to enforce the morality that is generally accepted, than abortion might be legalized if that’s what the majority of people think should be done.

 

[BobObob]

They already did that, it’s called marinol. The problem is that medicinal users don’t care if it is a more effective medicine and far less dangerous to your health, smoking weed is more fun.

I’ve heard, from individuals who did more research than I did, that the problem is actually that a day’s worth of Marinol costs hundreds of dollars (which most people can’t afford) and it isn’t as affective as marijuana (not as effective and treats fewer problems).

 

[BobObob]

They already did that, it’s called marinol. The problem is that medicinal users don’t care if it is a more effective medicine and far less dangerous to your health, smoking weed is more fun.

Lester Grinspoon, MD, a professor of psychiatry at the Harvard Medical School, regarding the effectiveness of Marinol vs marijuana, said:

"I have yet to examine a patient who has used both smoked marijuana and Marinol who finds the latter more useful; the most common reason for using Marinol is the illegality of marijuana, and many patients choose to ignore the law when they believe that the difference between the two puts their health, comfort or economic well-being at risk.

If patients were legally allowed to use marijuana, relatively few would choose Marinol."

medicalmarijuana.procon.org/view.answers.php?questionID=000090

 

[colmywaykurtz]

You guys realize that these same type of arguments are used to justify abortion right?

Truthfully, no, I never heard anybody defend abortion by saying there are murderous “abortion cartels” that spring up when abortion is banned.

If one is convinced this would happen, one should probably be trying to obtain statistics and anecdotal material from countries that have actually banned abortion. Nicaragua is such a country–it’s been banned there for the last four years.

 

[colmywaykurtz]

I agree that if we derive THC from cannabis, then it can have great medicinal value. I would like to see the drug used in regulated pharmacology.

In charity, I must say that that argument seems to counter itself. How do you explain the upswing in juveniles and young adults stealing prescription medication(s) from their parents? There is no “criminal element” that “adds to the mystique and interest that drugs generate,” in that sense, unless you think Pfizer is a cartel.

Granted, I don’t have an explanation for the upswing in young people stealing prescription medications. But the criminal culture that arises around illegal drugs is unquestionably a fascinating thing to many people. How else to explain the high ratings of a TV sitcom like “Breaking Bad”? It’s been the highest-rated show on television in this country for two years running.

 

[Newbie2]

If we do we should also legalize prostitution just to be consistent.

Not to mention abolishing the age of consent for sexual activity and for smoking.

The entire discussion centers around the question, “Should society prohibit activities which it (society) deems harmful or potentially harmful to its citizens?” and the corresponding question, “What constitutes “harmful”?”