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End The War On Drugs

So people shouldn't go to jail over drug use, but they also don't deserve pure, regulated drugs that keep them from accidentally harming themselves?
 
Because I believe we need to focus on treating addiction, instead of making it easier for people to get hooked

How does legalising drugs make it easier for people to get hooked? Legalising drugs doesn't mean a drug-fuelled free for all, be ye young or old. In fact, it would actually entail much greater control over drugs than the current situation does.
 
^Yeah. Imagine it. You go to the Pharm, say "I'd like some dope please!" They say, "you just came in yesterday, you're not allowed more till next week." You don't get your drugs. You go home, live your life till next week, an addiction never forms.

Now, imagine all drugs are illegal or even decriminalized. You call up your dealer, "Hey man, I want some more dope even though I just got some two hours ago," you say. He says, "Sure, come on by man. The more you buy the richer I am!" You get your dope, you continue your addiction, maybe you OD.

Which sounds more reasonable in treating addiction?
 
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Because I believe we need to focus on treating addiction, instead of making it easier for people to get hooked
ok, but how does decriminalizing a drug (or drugs) help here where legalizing does not (in this specific regard)?

alasdair
 
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@funnydan: you got some interesting things to say. one question.

how do you think decriminalizing it would keep people from getting hooked?

(honest question, trying to see things from your p.o.v. here)
 
Imo, decriminalization is better then nothing. You do your thing and keep it on the down low, you are less likely to have an issue. If you get popped, it is a ticket vs jail time, depending on the severity of what you are doing. Legalizing everything is currently a dream. IMO, you would have to have a system set up for education and tight rules as in things can be used, but there would also have to be pretty tough penalties for the folks that still want to abuse things.OT, but the government would still make a whole lot of money if it were to happen.
 
I like that in theory. However, so much of the harm from drugs comes from the black market. Selling drugs would still be illegal if they're decriminalized which means the cartels and people getting locked up for providing a service that is necessary if drugs are to be used will still happen. IMO that's unacceptable. And look at what the black market has done with opiates. We NEED regulation because left to their own devices, people are putting fentanyl in heroin, pills, even cocaine. It's fucked. I've lost 3 friends in the past year to fentanyl and even more acquaintances.

With taxation, there is also the state tax dollars it brings in (look at Colorado, their infrastructure is beautiful these days and that benefits everyone).
 
I like that in theory. However, so much of the harm from drugs comes from the black market. Selling drugs would still be illegal if they're decriminalized which means the cartels and people getting locked up for providing a service that is necessary if drugs are to be used will still happen. IMO that's unacceptable. And look at what the black market has done with opiates. We NEED regulation because left to their own devices, people are putting fentanyl in heroin, pills, even cocaine. It's fucked. I've lost 3 friends in the past year to fentanyl and even more acquaintances.

With taxation, there is also the state tax dollars it brings in (look at Colorado, their infrastructure is beautiful these days and that benefits everyone).

yeah. I don't see how your post differentiates from my post above it.
 
You're right, I mis-read it in such a way as to think you were saying the opposite. Well, my post applies to treezy and anyone else arguing against legalization.
 
i would have thought that drug policy is one area where we might expect to find common ground on bl, regardless of political identity or affiliation.

i broadly agree too but i'd go further than decriminalization - legalization, regulation and taxation.

alasdair
 
you are one of the few people i would prefer to have this conversation with face to face alasdairm (if i talk about it in depth at all).

point blank: it isn't practical in today's "world" to legalize it. if it's not broke don't fix it.

when we live in a better "world" then it would be worth a shot to legalize, regulate and tax.

for now imo, the option is decriminalize or keep it the way it is.

though i'm interested in how marijuana and life has changed since it's legal in your state?
 
This month cannabis becomes legal in Canada.

In my real life where I use a daily edible dose, I am still obliged to make my own. We have made a bunch of limiting rules with cannabis that will keep the black market alive and well. They vary by province but edibles and shatter are not to be sold.

My previous Canadian licensed provider sold his operation to a conglomerate that overpaid him massively to close his grow down. Looking at the list of who owns canopy group the only reason we are legalizing is so the previous enforcers in our government can legally make money off control.

It would be best and safest to just decriminalize, now with only legalizing, new rules will be enforced and some are just as poorly thought out as making marijuana illegal in the first place. This will create a disadvantaged group that will keep the black market going strong. There will be new issues and a lot of new startups in the business will die off fast.

Legalization requires rules, rules require enforcement and enforcement costs labour and increases taxes. No government has ever provided a real nationwide service at a reasonable cost. We will spend more, because we made rules that are unnecessary, forcing drug users to jump through hoops with legalization.

Drugs are simply a commodity, spend 100% of enforcement money on education, decriminalize and get the government out of drugs.
 
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