If All Drugs Were Legal

[Y2J]

The Drug Warriors' biggest argument against medical marijuana is that it's only the opening wedge in a movement toward total legalization of drugs. So, supposedly, we have to "nip it in the bud" – in the words of Deputy Barney Fife, the nation's first Drug Czar.

What if the Drug Warriors are right?

What if legalizing medical marijuana turned out to be the first step on a journey that ended in the outright repeal of every drug law? What would America be like?

Understandably, many Americans fear that with no drug laws, we would have hundreds of thousands of addicts, crack babies, children trying drugs, and other evils. But that's what we have now.

Let's assume the worst

If all drugs were legal, addicts would no longer pay black-market prices to criminals for drugs of questionable and dangerous origin. They would get drugs produced by legitimate pharmaceutical companies and pay market prices. They would no longer die from buying toxic drugs, and they would no longer have to mug innocent people to support their habits.

If all drugs were legal, addicts could seek help by going to doctors – no longer afraid of being prosecuted for their medical problems.

If all drugs were legal, criminal drug dealers would no longer be on our streets. They couldn't compete with the low, free-market prices for drugs sold at pharmacies.

If all drugs were legal, criminal drug dealers would no longer prey upon our children – any more than distilleries and breweries try to infiltrate schools to hook kids on alcohol. When I grew up in Los Angeles in the 1940s, the worst schools were safer than L.A.'s best schools are today.

If all drugs were legal, our government would no longer be dispensing propaganda that makes children want to try the forbidden fruit.

Reducing street violence

If all drugs were legal, our prisons would be emptied of hundreds of thousands of non-violent people who have never done harm to anyone else. No longer would over-crowded prisons cause truly violent criminals to be free on early release and plea bargains to terrorize the rest of us.

If all drugs were legal, law-enforcement resources would be available to fight violent crime, instead of being used to chase people who may harm themselves but are no threat to us.

If all drugs were legal, much of the street violence would end – as it did when Alcohol Prohibition ended – because gangs of thugs would no longer be fighting over drug territories.

If all drugs were legal, police corruption would diminish, because criminals could no longer use black-market drug money to gain immunity by subverting weak policemen.

If all drugs were legal, the government could no longer use the Drug War as an excuse to tear up the Bill of Rights and pry into your bank account, strip-search you at an airport, tear your car apart, monitor your e-mail, or seize your property without even charging you with a crime.

Why do we know this?

Why do I think America would be like this if all drugs were legal?

Because that's the way it was before the drug laws were passed. Yes, there were people whose lives were destroyed by drugs then – just as some people today destroy their lives with drugs, alcohol, financial mistakes, or various character weaknesses – but far fewer people lost their lives to drugs when they were legal.

And America's streets were peaceful.

Has America changed since then? Of course it has. But cause-and-effect relationships don't change. Force still begets force. Government programs still lead to unintended and destructive consequences.

Re-legalizing drugs would put a stop to those destructive consequences – end the criminal black market, end the violence, end the incentive to hook children, and end the production of toxic drugs that kill people.

We have to quit being afraid of the unknown, and instead recognize what we do know – that the Drug War is doing enormous harm to society.

If we care about our children, if we care about our cities, if we care about our country, we have to end the insane War on Drugs.



by Harry Browne, © 2001 WorldNetDaily.com

[oblongmelon]

I say-Legalize. It just makes more sense.

[attgig]

oh geez, you got that from Harry Browne??? HA!
the political LOSER who has NO real experience or evidence to back his 'ideals'...

geez...

anyways, talking about a few of the 'points' that he made...
Let's assume the worst hmmm, by the points that he's making, he's not doing that

They would get drugs produced by legitimate pharmaceutical companies well, that's assuming that pharmaceutical companies go for it...under the threat of boycott....I would assume that most would fold under the pressure of the public. But ok, I'll give it to him that there will be a few that do go ahead and make them
they would no longer have to mug innocent people to support their habits. uhhh, if they're addicted, and market prices were somewhat 'high', they would still be mugging people to get $$. Legal or not, drugs are still THAT addictive.
If all drugs were legal, addicts could seek help by going to doctors – no longer afraid of being prosecuted for their medical problems. They can right now, no? Doctors aren't supposed to share any info with anyone unless court order....no? But still, with drugs legal, why would they go to a doctor - when it is legal and therefore, something that is socially acceptable?
criminal drug dealers would no longer prey upon our children please, with the evidence of cigarrette companies that went after underage smokers...it's obvious that's a lie....

geez, I don't wanna waste my time arguing this crap

[Burzhui]

Originally posted by oblongmelon
I say-Legalize. It just makes more sense.

I have always said that... look at Amsterdam.. it's heaven on earth, and legalize prostitution, put them in unions make them get tested for STD's

[attgig]

man, when i hear you all saying legalize drugs....I remember that snotty little kid in Traffic going off on his girlfriend's dad about how society makes black people in the inner city become drug dealers...

[Burzhui]

Originally posted by att gig


They would get drugs produced by legitimate pharmaceutical companies well, that's assuming that pharmaceutical companies go for it...under the threat of boycott....I would assume that most would fold under the pressure of the public. But ok, I'll give it to
him that there will be a few that do go ahead and make them

Dude why would they be boycoted?


they would no longer have to mug innocent people to support their habits.
uhhh, if they're addicted, and market prices were somewhat 'high', they would still be mugging people to get $$. Legal or not, drugs are still THAT addictive.

Umm the market prices would not be high :) he he high... i mean they would not be high because if it's legal and the governemnt is growing/producing it, the prices will be much cheaper.... i.e. back in the day when the alchohol was illegal, the mafia started selling it at high prices, when this period ended the alchohol fell in price.


criminal drug dealers would no longer prey upon our children please, with the evidence of cigarrette companies that went after underage smokers...it's obvious that's a lie....


What is being said is that the drug dealers try to get kids hooked, however if it is legal law's can be passed such as no underage smoking... where a retailer would not be authorized to sell weed to minors. I mean some people would break those rules, but it can be more strictly enforced that if something like this happens, there wil be no warning, but a removal of license of sale

[Mike_N_Ike]

The way I see it is, it would just be one more excuse for people to use when they say, "It wasn't me, the _____ made me do it." There are enough of those already.

[Nija]

I know a lot of people (read: almost everyone I know) that has done drugs. most of them are very productive people. i don't agree with legalization of all drugs tho. coke, heroin, pcp, speed, etc. these have no value what so ever. pot, i can see and fully support the legalization of.

Nija

[Grimm]

Originally posted by att gig

geez, I don't wanna waste my time arguing this crap

Please don't then. You obviously don't have anything to contribute to the discusion except as an example of a thouroughly brainwashed "upstanding citizen".

Just educate people and let them choose what to do with their lives. Those that choose to poison themselves will happlily be gone from the gene pool.

And the assault on Harry Browne? Why? Because he stands up for what he believes in, despite it being unpopular? Because he uses his mind and actualy thinks about things? (oh my god, call a cop!!!) Or is it because he actualy had the balls to make a try of it when he knew he would be slaughtered at the polls?

[Grimm]

Originally posted by Nija
I know a lot of people (read: almost everyone I know) that has done drugs. most of them are very productive people. i don't agree with legalization of all drugs tho. coke, heroin, pcp, speed, etc. these have no value what so ever. pot, i can see and fully support the legalization of.

Nija

Neither do tobacco or alcohol. But we won't be getting rid of either any time soon. Legaly sold drugs can be taxed. The revenues can be used to pay for the health care of those presently draining our health care system of resources from what is currently illegal use. It will be used anyway. Laws don't stop it. Education does.

[Nija]

in my opinion, you can function with a pot, or a tobacco habit (and in a lot of cases an alcohol addiction). These other "hard" drugs make it so you can not function. A coke addict will just think about their next score, a speed freak will continously want that next line... i do not see how those people can function fully.

Nija

[attgig]

Dude why would they be boycoted?
same reason why people threatened to boycott pharmecuitical (spelling) companies who were going to produce an abortion pill. It's a controvercial(sp) subject, and people will do things against the companies who produce them.

Umm the market prices would not be high he he high... i mean they would not be high because if it's legal and the governemnt is growing/producing it, the prices will be much cheaper.... i.e. back in the day when the alchohol was illegal, the mafia started selling it at high prices, when this period ended the alchohol fell in price.
1) people will blow money on drugs....the cheaper it is, the more they will buy....it's addictive..
2) the price of prescription drugs...hmmmmm, yeah, all drugs that pharmesutical (i don't care, i suck at spelling) companies make MUST be cheap cause it's legal....yeah right/


What is being said is that the drug dealers try to get kids hooked, however if it is legal law's can be passed such as no underage smoking... where a retailer would not be authorized to sell weed to minors. I mean some people would break those rules, but it can be more strictly enforced that if something like this happens, there wil be no warning, but a removal of license of sale
OK, Please tell me how many gas stations won't sell to kids...
I've been in enough when someone gets out with a pack of ciggarettes without showing id....or having fake id's....let's stop praising a system where highschoolers (under 18) drink and smoke... Do you really think kids won't be able to figure out how to get some 'legal' pot/crack/cocaine kids have been getting cigarrettes and booze for, well, forever...

[attgig]

Originally posted by evilcyclops
Please don't then. You obviously don't have anything to contribute to the discusion except as an example of a thouroughly brainwashed "upstanding citizen".

Just educate people and let them choose what to do with their lives. Those that choose to poison themselves will happlily be gone from the gene pool.

And the assault on Harry Browne? Why? Because he stands up for what he believes in, despite it being unpopular? Because he uses his mind and actualy thinks about things? (oh my god, call a cop!!!) Or is it because he actualy had the balls to make a try of it when he knew he would be slaughtered at the polls?

and I guess you've been brainwashed in the 'being evil' category...
I'm tired of the 'rebelious' crap and the government sucks, let's overhaul it...freakin crap that people talk of...I've had friends that said all this ****, and it's made me tired of hearing crap like that over and over again.

'educate' people and let them run their lives???
dude, we should just teach that it's bad to steal, and we won't need to worry about locks on our doors....please...
laws are a necessary part of society.

Harry Browne...good, he has something to believe in...ok, fine..
whatever..
I just kinda did that verbal assault on him, cause I've researched him & the libertarian party in the past, I've read up on him and well, don't really go along with them....just kinda added it, cause it gave me a reason to bash the content of the article. Just the fact that it came from him, it was obvious that his "let's assume the worst" was garbage.

[attgig]

oh, and btw, I'm feeling testy right now (got into a 'heated discussion' with my friend), so if any of my posts come off as extremely rude...I appologize in advance.

[Burzhui]

Originally posted by evilcyclops


Neither do tobacco or alcohol. But we won't be getting rid of either any time soon. Legaly sold drugs can be taxed. The revenues can be used to pay for the health care of those presently draining our health care system of resources from what is currently illegal use. It will be used anyway. Laws don't stop it. Education does.

I agree education is a vital part of this whole issue. Teach kids in school about the effects of tobacco, alchohol, drugs etc.

[fakesurfers]

Originally posted by Y2J
...When I grew up in Los Angeles in the 1940s...

The venerable Y2J :laugh: are you in your 70's now??

[Y2J]

Originally posted by fakesurfers


The venerable Y2J :laugh: are you in your 70's now??

nope, but harry browne is. he wrote the article

[Mike_N_Ike]

Originally posted by evilcyclops

Just educate people and let them choose what to do with their lives. Those that choose to poison themselves will happlily be gone from the gene pool.
Unfortunately, it just doesn't work like that. If it did, it wouldn't matter if drugs were legal or not - after a generation of having drugs in society, the problem would be gone.

I don't think it's much of a stretch of logic to say that certain drugs make people act irresponsibly. Less responsibility = more kids. So they're not quite just gone from the gene pool. And the creation of more children who may not be able to be taken care of prehaps an even greater problem.

The other problem with just letting people "choose what they want to do with their lives" is that you have to consider just how much of an effect their actions are going to have on those around them. When somebody is too doped up to react to a kid running out in the street, it is no longer just their lives.

[attgig]

Originally posted by Burzhui


I agree education is a vital part of this whole issue. Teach kids in school about the effects of tobacco, alchohol, drugs etc.

They already do...
Me and my whole class learned....
I think, just out of my high school friends, easily over half drank/smoked...and not as much but still a few tried some drugs....

[attgig]

Originally posted by Mike_N_Ike

Unfortunately, it just doesn't work like that. If it did, it wouldn't matter if drugs were legal or not - after a generation of having drugs in society, the problem would be gone.

I don't think it's much of a stretch of logic to say that certain drugs make people act irresponsibly. Less responsibility = more kids. So they're not quite just gone from the gene pool. And the creation of more children who may not be able to be taken care of prehaps an even greater problem.

The other problem with just letting people "choose what they want to do with their lives" is that you have to consider just how much of an effect their actions are going to have on those around them. When somebody is too doped up to react to a kid running out in the street, it is no longer just their lives.

This is why i kinda don't agree with the libertarian party's politics.

[Grimm]

If you think that kids don't have easy access to drugs now, you are lying to yourself. Law enforcement does not have the tools to stop the flow of drugs. It never will as long as we are a free society. Amsterdam has legalized many drugs. It collects taxes on these drugs and uses it to pay for medical care.
The people in Amsterdam who legaly distribute the drugs are very careful about obeying the rules so they do not lose their lucrative licences.

People manufacture and sell illegal drugs now. What in the world makes you think they won't do it when it is legal (and cheaper because they can get supplies and materials legaly) and well regulated. Tell me that you think the tobacco industry won't jump into it head first! Tobacco is a processed product. Drugs should be just as easy to manufacture or even easier.

Adicts are going to be adicts. Legal or not. Treatment and counseling will solve those problems, not jail.

Growing up, I chose not to do drugs. I knew what they did to people. I made an educated choice. Other kids are not given that choice because they are not given the amunition to fight against the peer pressure or sales pressure when they are exposed to drugs. My parents weren't even that open about it. They just made sure that I knew that it was poison. They made sure that I waent to the classes in school (required parental permition) that discussed drugs. A few years later I saw the kids who's parents didn't want their kids "exposed" to that type of thing and could not go to the classes, on drugs. Gee I wonder if there is a correlation.

Education, treatment, and counseling stop drug use. Laws do not.

[brainsmile]

IF ALL DRUGS WERE LEGAL, I'D BE TAKING ASPIRIN ALL THE TIME

[El Scorcho]

hello people... as "stupid" as you think the government is... there IS infact a reason that drugs arent legal.

Wow go figure... the government... having a purpose for something.

They dont make these laws just to f*ck with you people.

[Grimm]

Originally posted by El Scorcho
hello people... as "stupid" as you think the government is... there IS infact a reason that drugs arent legal.

Wow go figure... the government... having a purpose for something.

They dont make these laws just to f*ck with you people.

I don't use and don't plan to use if they are legal. I don't drink or smoke (I am more than old enough to get them legaly). The reason marajuana is illegal is because it is a form of hemp. Hemp is illegal because the cotton growers threw money at the politicians to make it so. It was their only real reason for making it illegal.
So they do have a reason: campaign contributions. :(

[El Scorcho]

Originally posted by evilcyclops


I don't use and don't plan to use if they are legal. I don't drink or smoke (I am more than old enough to get them legaly). The reason marajuana is illegal is because it is a form of hemp. Hemp is illegal because the cotton growers threw money at the politicians to make it so. It was their only real reason for making it illegal.
So they do have a reason: campaign contributions. :(

true but seriously... i dont think the govenrment wants everybody running around high. Plus yeah drugs do kill people... in more ways than one.

[Grimm]

Originally posted by El Scorcho


true but seriously... i dont think the govenrment wants everybody running around high. Plus yeah drugs do kill people... in more ways than one.

Actualy pot is a depresant, just like alcohol. Hmmm... It also wears off quicker and leaves people more functional the next day.
Both have medicinal uses. Both will effect vehical opperation. What if, just for example both had the same rules of use? Probably less people would be in the hospital for bad livers.

[El Scorcho]

Originally posted by evilcyclops


Actualy pot is a depresant, just like alcohol. Hmmm... It also wears off quicker and leaves people more functional the next day.
Both have medicinal uses. Both will effect vehical opperation. What if, just for example both had the same rules of use? Probably less people would be in the hospital for bad livers.

True but if you legalize pot what are the crackheads gonna say?

[Grimm]

Originally posted by El Scorcho


True but if you legalize pot what are the crackheads gonna say?

If we give them free crack for a week, there won't be any crack heads. :dodgy:

[zenbooty]

Say no to repressive drug laws!

[Grimm]

Originally posted by zenbooty
Say no to repressive drug laws!

:heh: