Regulation of drugs, if done properly, would save our economy.
At the same time it would be like the second coming, we would nail that fucker to the cross all over again! I think if all drugs became controlled like alcohol or cigarettes that we would have a HUGE surge in people using. Stigmas would be broken to a certain extent, safety from adulterants and marketing would get this stuff into the hands of a lot more people. Yes, it would have to be heavily regulated to the point where you have to show ID and sign to buy a gram of cocaine, but, it would still end up in the hands of these people's children or people who would resell on the black market JUST like cigarettes and alcohol still are today.
The main goal of legalization of any or all of the illegal drugs is to get the stuff out of the hands of our children, organized crime and to keep people safe from prosecution. I don't think that legalization/regulation would keep it out of the hands of kids, in fact I believe it would result in large scale drug addiction in places where drugs are normally not a huge problem. I do believe something needs to be done. Let the chips fall where they may, but, I think things would be bad for at least a few years if drugs were regulated. I then believe the law would be quickly re-reformed.... I know, definitely NOT the right attitude, right? :/
When it comes to organized crime... I am infinitely more afraid of my government (real gangsters) than I am street gangsters. William Burroughs thought that opiates were the ultimate form of control. I can't disagree, I think if we were all able to buy recreationally dosed heroin from our government that they would have the power to do whatever they want with the addicted populace. It sounds crazy, and it is, but, I know that a lot of junkies will do most anything to get a fix and that can certainly be manipulated.
On the note of alcohol consumption being reduced if pot cafes were aloud. I think there certainly would be a reduction. I don't think that heavy drinking and cannabis use go together well at all and I know a lot of people who would agree. A 25% reduction would be cool, but who knows if that would actually be accurate.
