Prohibition on soft drugs

[Maxi]

I've been doing some thinking lately... and why should we not legalize soft drugs? Anyone?

 

[The Brick]

Want all youth to be crackpots like here in holland?

 

[15357]

It doesn't look very good, high people on the streets.

 

[JNightshade]

It doesn't look very good, high people on the streets.

There's no reason you couldn't illegalize THAT part of it. I mean, here in the US booze is legal, but being drunk in public isn't.

That said, being high on the street isn't that bad at all

 

[Aenama]

The thing is that "soft drugs" still cause problems.Why taking the whole criminal aspect away,most problems still remain.It is against the law to drive your car when you are drunk,people still do it and people get killed because of it.The same will happend with legalizeng (sp) pot,I can asure you fatal car accidents will rise drasticly if it is legalized

 

[DaMaN]

In my opinion, it's criminal for pot to be illegal. Hell, cigarettes are lethal, i mean, legal. And just think of all the tax dollars that could be collected from sales of it! My province (BC) has tonnes and tonnes of the stuff; grow-ops in Vancouver are everywhere.

Seriously, i mean, think of how many social programs the government could fund with just 1% of pot sales?

 

[ríomhaire]

Soft drugs are about as bad as, if not better than, booze and fags (cigarettes). Legalizing them will take them out of the hands of druglords and into the hands of large companies.

 

[Aenama]

Soft drugs are about as bad as, if not better than, booze and fags (cigarettes). Legalizing them will take them out of the hands of druglords and into the hands of large companies.

I'm even really worried about much...The main problem remains being a addicted.

 

[$kelet0r]

The issue is where you draw the line more than anything else
Saying all drugs are illegal is far more comforting than saying drug a is legal, drug b is iffy and just don't go there with drug c.
abortion and divorce and gun ownership and capital punishment are illegal in many countries for the same reasons - it's easier to be fully and passionately against something than to have to rationalise reasons and grey areas

 

[Stigmata]

I had an in-class essay prompt on this exact subject a couple days ago.

My conclusion: Legalizing pot is a great idea.

Dangers? Overblown. And smoking and alcohol cause far more deaths and negative effects than weed does, yet both of those are highly legal. Double standard much?

Troubles with legislation? Just give it the same rules as alcohol. No smoking in public, and no operating any vehicles, machinery, etc. while high.

Dangers of organized crime? Create a licensed, screened stream of pot sold primarily by the government, and suddenly all the buyers are lining up for pot that's affordable, and won't be laced with hash or heroin or any other harsher, addictive drugs. And your government-licensed dealer won't stab you. Plus, the whole government-control aspect brings in tax dollars.

Basically, it would boil down to the government profiting off the safety of its own citizens.

 

[DeusExMachina]

Soft drugs should be legal, but only the people who pass an intelligence exam can buy them.

 

[Aenama]

What does being smart have to do with drugs?

 

[DeusExMachina]

Because smart people won't do stupid things with them.

 

[The Brick]

Once they've taken them they will.

 

[ríomhaire]

Saying all drugs are illegal is far more comforting

Including morphene, alchohol and tabaco?
D:

The main problem remains being a addicted.

As with smoking, but of course that won't be illegal anytime soon.

 

[Aenama]

If it was for me ,it would be.

 

[Aenama]

Once they've taken them they will.

I was about to say the same thing.

 

[The Brick]

Damn now I'm ashamed of myself.

 

[brink's]

What stupid things are you guys talking about? Eating too much and watching TV? oh noess!!!!!!!!!!1

 

[Absinthe]

Because smart people won't do stupid things with them.

Smart people do stupid shit all the time. I know high-school dropouts more responsible with their drugs than high-grade college kids.

Any way, "soft" drugs should be legal. Hell, throw in hard drugs as well. I don't care. I don't even feel like going into the argument of wether or not drugs are evil, draining, wastes of time for losers (you're a ****ing idiot if you think so) and I don't care if you or your family member or one of your friends had his life ruined by drugs, so you can save that sob story for some other time. I don't care if you can pull out statistics saying that pot legalization is intrinsically tied to moral depravation, or if you have scientific research linking cocaine to spontaneous combustion.

In any country that calls itself "free", I should be able to stick whatever the hell I want into my own body so long as it doesn't pose a threat to others. That means obvious shit like driving under the influence. The grand majority of prohibitionary laws regarding drugs are based on lies and misinformation rooted historically in corruption and racism. If the government wants to keep such drugs illegal, then at the very least it's time for them to come up with an honest argument. I highly doubt that's possible.

 

[DeusExMachina]

And I know more high grade college kids who are more responsible with them than high school dropouts.

Obviously, it isn't the same for everyone.

 

[kirovman]

The grand majority of prohibitionary laws regarding drugs are based on lies and misinformation rooted historically in corruption and racism.

Taking you out of context, for a laugh:

"I think cannibis should be illegal"

"RACIST!"



But yeah, I don't see why they shouldn't be legalised.

The profits reaped would outweigh the problems.

 

[Absinthe]

And I know more high grade college kids who are more responsible with them than high school dropouts.

Obviously, it isn't the same for everyone.

I'm not trying to make an argument through anecdotes. I'm just pointing out that a high IQ is not a prerequisite for sensible actions. That you say it isn't the same for everyone just establishes this further.

Come on. Surely you realize this. =\

 

[Tyguy]

I heard something about if we legalize soft drugs, the black market would basically crumble and to be honest, i dont remember what they said might happen, but it had something to do with alot of violence.

and yes, im for the legalization of "soft" drugs

 

[Qonfused]

I'm for it. Why not legalize it? The obvious pros trump the cons in every way.

...And I don't even participate in the taking of drugs.

Plus, tons of great music comes out of drugs -- legalizing it just makes good music easier.

 

[brink's]

I heard something about if we legalize soft drugs, the black market would basically crumble and to be honest, i dont remember what they said might happen, but it had something to do with alot of violence.

and yes, im for the legalization of "soft" drugs

I highly doubt "soft drugs' like weed and mushrooms are the black market's core foundation.The majority of the money traded inside the BM revolves around illegal weapon, prostitution, hard drugs and stolen goods. "Products"/services that there will always be demand for.

 

[kirovman]

But at least it would remove a lot of those soft-core users from the black market.

 

[DeusExMachina]

I'm not trying to make an argument through anecdotes. I'm just pointing out that a high IQ is not a prerequisite for sensible actions. That you say it isn't the same for everyone just establishes this further.

Come on. Surely you realize this. =\

I'm not actually arguing for it or anything, that's why I mentioned the differences.

 

[Absinthe]

The black market has no quality control and it introduces soft users to a world of far harder substances.

The black market is the gateway.

 

[Ennui]

Soft drugs should be legalized. Fact.

/cracks knuckles

I love these threads. Assume I'm agreeing with Absinthe on everything until I get back into the fray.

 

[CrazyHarij]

weed is nowhere as dangerous as alcohol and cigarettes. i'm up for it

 

[PvtRyan]

Soft drugs should be legalized. Fact.

/cracks knuckles

I love these threads. Assume I'm agreeing with Absinthe on everything until I get back into the fray.

Absinthe said to me that you were very proud of your pink dress with white fringes :shh:

 

[ailevation]

legalize marijuana and ban 5 year-olds.

 

[Ennui]

Absinthe said to me that you were very proud of your pink dress with white fringes :shh:

He's been peeping again.

 

[Fliko]

Dangers? Overblown. And smoking and alcohol cause far more deaths and negative effects than weed does, yet both of those are highly legal. Double standard much?

Because it's legal, more people get into it, and they get it more often.
I'd assure you that Weed would have somewhat of the effect.
All the heavy drug users I know started on Weed.

Also, I don't think any Long Term effects of Weed have been proven...
Which means we don't know what could happen.

Oh, and Cannabis does effect how you drive

 

[Stigmata]

Because it's legal, more people get into it, and they get it more often.
I'd assure you that Weed would have somewhat of the effect.
All the heavy drug users I know started on Weed.

Probably because they got some weed laced with harsher drugs and got hooked, and couldn't satisfy the craving for that laced drug with straight weed.
[edit] And it's also functionally impossible to overdose on THC through smoking, whereas you can quite easily kill yourself by over-drinking.

Also, I don't think any Long Term effects of Weed have been proven...
Which means we don't know what could happen.

I think Ennui can back me up here. I basically internalize stuff and forget about sources D:

Oh, and Cannabis does effect how you drive

Which is why I stated it should be legalized under the same restrictions as alcohol. No public smoking, no driving while under the influence, etc.

 

[99.vikram]

^No. :O

Druggies can get more out of control and violent than either smokers or drinkers, IMO.
Once we allow soft drugs, people will start pushing for everything to be called 'soft'.

 

[Qonfused]

Good job, 99.vikram. You just started a soon-to-be seven page argument about the legality of soft drugs.

 

[Absinthe]

^No. :O

Druggies can get more out of control and violent than either smokers or drinkers, IMO.
Once we allow soft drugs, people will start pushing for everything to be called 'soft'.

GOD DAMN THOSE OUT-OF-CONTROL DRUGGIES.

JUST LIKE THE JUDICIARY, THE GOVERNMENT NEEDS TO CRACK DOWN ON THESE INSANE, MORALLY BANKRUPT SCUM. THEY'RE OBVIOUSLY TOO ****ING STUPID TO ACT ON THEIR OWN, SO IT'S UP TO UNCLE SAM TO STEER THEM INTO THE CLEAR.

 

[Qonfused]

GOD DAMN THOSE OUT-OF-CONTROL DRUGGIES.

JUST LIKE THE JUDICIARY, THE GOVERNMENT NEEDS TO CRACK DOWN ON THESE INSANE, MORALLY BANKRUPT SCUM. THEY'RE OBVIOUSLY TOO ****ING STUPID TO ACT ON THEIR OWN, SO IT'S UP TO UNCLE SAM TO STEER THEM INTO THE CLEAR.

This was the first shot heard 'round the world. War, inc.