Recreational Drug Use Legalization

[Griff]

Something we almost never talk about in this is how our drug laws create an easy source of funds for terrorist groups and help destabilize countries like Colombia and Afghanistan.

Like a lot of issues there are decent arguments for and against decriminalization. I happen to think the best arguments are for, but even if you think that it's fifty/fifty choosing liberty over state violence should make it an easy choice. I suspect there are a lot of conservatives out there who are not comfortable with this much government action and the casual application of force against citizens. We really need to think about this stuff in nanny state terms. Do we trust people or not?

I'm glad that folks are mostly on board with keeping pot heads out of prison. If you took the pot out of international drug smuggling, you would at least reduce the total number of people engaged in these violence creating activities. Poorly conceived drug laws are just another way that we reduce respect for the rule of law and in governing authority generally.

[richlevy]

What's coming to the forefront now is the fact that our drug laws have turned the US into a prison society. Incarcerating non-violent drug users is insanely expensive. The only two reasons to incarcerate a person are to protect the person or society. Prison is not safe, and most of these individuals are not a threat to society.

If any administration created 2.3 million government jobs, the average taxpayer would be outraged. Each prisoner is the equivalent of a $30,000-per-year bureaucrat. If the government hired one file clerk for every 100 citizens, we would be complaining about waste in government. For some reason, no one has considered the crushing expense and human waste.

1 in 100 adults now in prison

2,319,258 Americans behind bars in 2008, most of any nation

[Griff]

Originally Posted by richlevy

If any administration created 2.3 million government jobs, the average taxpayer would be outraged. Each prisoner is the equivalent of a $30,000-per-year bureaucrat. If the government hired one file clerk for every 100 citizens, we would be complaining about waste in government. For some reason, no one has considered the crushing expense and human waste.

Absolutely brilliant.

[Aliantha]

When marijuana is decriminalized and becomes regulated ie. registered growers, wholesalers and retailers, there will still be bootleg operators just as people make their own booze in home stils. I don't think arguing that people will be able to grown their own is a good enough argument to be against it on it's own.

LSD is not a soft drug. Nor are shrooms. Have you ever seen some of the crazy shit people can do on that stuff PH? Anyway, I don't think any of the 'created' drugs should be freely available personally.

[monster]

From what I see, I think pot sgould be legalised and contolled inthe same vein as tobaco and booze.

regarding penalties for the rest? instead of prison, why not an automatic ticket to the frontline. That would certainly bloody well deter me!

[xoxoxoBruce]

There are people that shouldn't be allow to do caffeine. There will always be a few, that will lose self control of rational behavior, on anything legal. Why penalize millions of people to try and protect a handful that really can't be protected in the first place?

[TheMercenary]

Originally Posted by monster

regarding penalties for the rest? instead of prison, why not an automatic ticket to the frontline. That would certainly bloody well deter me!

It would never work. I don't want some bloody ass drug head with well trained troops in a highly dynamic combat environment that will not follow orders. And you just pass the problem of these people to the Military. The addiction is to strong.

[monster]

Originally Posted by TheMercenary

It would never work. I don't want some bloody ass drug head with well trained troops in a highly dynamic combat environment that will not follow orders. And you just pass the problem of these people to the Military. The addiction is to strong.

Cannon fodder, sweetie. Clearing landmines the easy way. They don't need to follow orders, just drop 'em off and leave 'em to it!

[regular.joe]

Handful?

[xoxoxoBruce]

Originally Posted by regular.joe

Handful?

Compared to the millions we are supporting in jail, needlessly.... handful.

[lookout123]

Nowhere legalization has been tried, has there been a spike in new addicts.

I don't believe there would be a spike in new addicts. I'm talking about our society where it seems people look for every opportunity to place the blame for their own dumbass decisions on the government. Bought a house you can't afford? the gummint better do something.
Didn't save anything for your future? the gummint should do more.
You're hooked on meth? the gummint should take care of you.

legalize it all for all I care, but when someone steps out of line to their choice to use - then we should be prepared to crush them. if we're in a society where driving after one beer can give you a legal DUI, then what is it after a couple lines?

[regular.joe]

Fuck it, legalize em all, open up a park...with a morgue in the back.

[Undertoad]

Of all the drugs, maybe only the opiates are worse than alcohol, on affecting your ability to drive. Alcohol affects your motor skills, balance, slows your judgement... it's like a perfect storm of effects on somebody trying to drive. Somebody does a few lines, there's a decent chance they drive *better*.

[Clodfobble]

Originally Posted by piercehawkeye45

Monster, people convicted of drug charges have a choice to go the frontline to avoid jailtime so I guess they are already exploring the option.

Cite, please? All I've read about is that people with prior convictions now have the option of joining the military, whereas they didn't before.

[xoxoxoBruce]

Originally Posted by Clodfobble

Cite, please? All I've read about is that people with prior convictions now have the option of joining the military, whereas they didn't before.

Even back in the 50's and 60's, Judges would quite often offer a kid in trouble, a chance to join the military, as a plea bargain to avoid conviction.