War on Drugs

[xoxoxoBruce]

The Cato Institute says end the war on drugs.

[BigV]

just curious, what is the benefit to this "war on drugs"? specifically, why is marijuana a "schedule 1" drug? What is the good we gain from classifying it that way? The costs are easier to see, and they are **extensive**. I'd like to know what we're getting for our money, please.

[ZenGum]

Fear, loathing, wasted police resources, the highest incarceration rate in the world, and a huge tax-free industry. And maybe slightly fewer stoners kicking back staring at the TV.

[infinite monkey]

Now we just have a few more completely straight people staring back at the TV.

Won't you think of the slackers?

[BrianR]

I will now admit to having changed my mind on this topic.

Years ago, I was 100% in favor of banning marijuana. Now, after extensive research (no product testing though), I have officially changed my mind.

I cannot support the squandering of increasingly scarce resources on this largely victimless crime. Yes, I know many addicts steal to support their habits and that this is unlikely to change if we just legalized drugs. The prices probably won't go down with government control. That hasn't happened with alcohol or tobacco and it won't happen with drugs either. Even pot. Sin taxes are just too easy a target and few truly complain other than those directly affected.

Product quality is likely to go up, resulting in far fewer deaths from the "cutting" of drugs with impurities ranging from benign to poisonous to outright deadly. Further, lives might be saved by providing an accurate dosage versus the estimating that currently goes on, resulting in far too many emergency room admissions from overdosing.

I am now going to conditionally support legalizing drugs. The only condition is that users and addicts be held to behavioral standards like everyone else. If they rob, steal or kill in furtherance of their habits, they get tossed in the slammer. If they get caught driving under the influence, they are treated just like any other DUI.

Funds currently wasted on interdiction should be diverted to education (drugs are still bad, mmmmkay?) and treatment programs for addicts who want to get clean.

Fair enough?

[xoxoxoBruce]

Originally Posted by BigV

just curious, what is the benefit to this "war on drugs"?

To keep Elliot Ness employed after the end of Prohibition.

[Elspode]

The end of Prohibition ended the gang wars of the Roaring Twenties, and forced the mobsters to find new sources of illicit income. Illegal drugs, gambling and prostitution provided the new sources. We keep these things illegal because we have a patina of morality involved. Legalize it, tax it, regulate it, and we'll end 90% of the violence.

[Griff]

Originally Posted by Elspode

The end of Prohibition ended the gang wars of the Roaring Twenties, and forced the mobsters to find new sources of illicit income. Illegal drugs, gambling, government, and prostitution provided the new sources. We keep these things illegal because we have a patina of morality involved. Legalize it, tax it, regulate it, and we'll end 90% of the violence.

While some of these guys will be forced into government, I still support decriminalization. Look at the disruptions our policy causes our neighbors and trading partners Mexico and Canada. It is insane.

[jimhelm]

Link

Generally speaking it is about hypocrisy.
"Pissed all over my black kettle" and "The Pot" Referring to the saying; "pot calling the kettle black".

More specifically it's about the hypocrisy of patronizing of marijuana users in the media leading towards unfair prosecution and misconceptions.

"Kangaroo done hung the guilty with the innocent," refers to to a 'Kangaroo Court'.

"Now you're weeping shades of cozened indigo,
Got lemon juice up in your...EYE!" Might mean falsely criticizing and getting away with by "hiding" behind some sort of moral symbolism (e.g.; The Bible, religion, etc).

The Pot might also be a play-on-words, also meaning pot or marijuana

[infinite monkey]

If it weren't for the war on drugs, 98% of adults would be strung out on heroin. They would have started with an innocent joint in their teens, and gatewayed themselves to full blown addiction to crack or heroin, or both.

The other 2% would play soccer. (snicker)

They'd pass out pot brownies in elementary school to keep kids calm. These kids would also gateway up and out of the atmosphere.

You think the zombie apocalypse will be bad? Wait until everyone smokes a hooter!

Oh, and there'd be no good books or movies or music.

Thank GAWD for the War on Drugs. We Merkins have become good at fighting unwinnnable wars.

('ere...puff puff pass. You're fucking up the rotation.)

[footfootfoot]

This is one of my favorites:

[infinite monkey]

Oh crap I just snorted way out loud!

Could that be any funnier? I don't know, ask me about 7 O'Clock tonight...cause I'm up front all afternoon and payment is due and it's gonna be crazy and I'll really be able to use some....

Oh.

[Spexxvet]

Originally Posted by infinite monkey

If it weren't for the war on drugs, 98% of adults would be strung out on heroin. They would have started with an innocent joint in their teens, and gatewayed themselves to full blown addiction to crack or heroin, or both.

The other 2% would play soccer. (snicker)

They'd pass out pot brownies in elementary school to keep kids calm. These kids would also gateway up and out of the atmosphere.

You think the zombie apocalypse will be bad? Wait until everyone smokes a hooter!

Oh, and there'd be no good books or movies or music.

Thank GAWD for the War on Drugs. We Merkins have become good at fighting unwinnnable wars.

('ere...puff puff pass. You're fucking up the rotation.)

George Carlin said that the original gateway substance is mother's milk.

[Sundae]

It would only work if Governments worked together though.

The Netherlands blazed a trail, no-one followed. Now laws in Amsterdam are getting stricter and stricter and coffee shops are closing down.
Even the liberal denizens of the 'Dam got tired with drug tourism.

The worst offenders? Brits and Yanks.

[TheMercenary]

Originally Posted by Sundae

It would only work if Governments worked together though.

The Netherlands blazed a trail, no-one followed. Now laws in Amsterdam are getting stricter and stricter and coffee shops are closing down.
Even the liberal denizens of the 'Dam got tired with drug tourism.

The worst offenders? Brits and Yanks.

I just read an article about that. Very interesting. Looks like over the long term the majority of people buying it were taking it across the border. Apparently they are going to issue some special card to residents only to continue to buy it. No card no sale. But it seems to me like that is going to open up the whole underground black market with inflated prices all over again. They have come full circle.