Poll: Should We Be Able To Use Any Substance (drug) We Want?

[Pegghead]

If they weren't illegal there'd be less reason to not have them. And considering the fact that really bad drugs like meth, ecstasy and heroin can quite literally fuck you up bonkers, yes I'd say that bad drugs should be illegal.

 

[Jimmyjames]

Incidentally, where did I ever imply the current war on drugs is successful? Can anybody, anybody at all, actually claim the war on drugs is a success?

Well, you're actually misinterpreting me. Perhaps I didn't make myself clear. I was responding to this:

2. ...Attempt to sell drugs without a license, we'll come after you. That way, because it will be legal to produce the drugs too, businesses will be able to do it far, far cheaper. This means less street crime to fund the addiction!

What I actually meant was, being that the current drug war isn't at all successful, how do you think that law enforcement would have any more impact on the street crime if drugs were made legal? These criminals won't go away, this is the way they survive. They have to do something (if they don't rehabilitate). Think of it this way- when the U.S. Government repealed prohibition, did organized crime go away? No, it didn't. It found new and different things to sink it's teeth into.

 

[Laura.]

There's also the point that it would probably make drug use decrease, at least in younger people, as taking drugs wouldn't have the same "rebel" appeal to it.

Not really, take a look at all the young people who smoke because of peer pressure or because it "looks cool". I think drugs would be "mandatory" in certain social groups, so it would be even worse.

 

[Seanchaidh]

Incidentally, where did I ever imply the current war on drugs is successful? Can anybody, anybody at all, actually claim the war on drugs is a success?

Well, you're actually misinterpreting me. Perhaps I didn't make myself clear. I was responding to this:

2. ...Attempt to sell drugs without a license, we'll come after you. That way, because it will be legal to produce the drugs too, businesses will be able to do it far, far cheaper. This means less street crime to fund the addiction!

What I actually meant was, being that the current drug war isn't at all successful, how do you think that law enforcement would have any more impact on the street crime if drugs were made legal? These criminals won't go away, this is the way they survive. They have to do something (if they don't rehabilitate). Think of it this way- when the U.S. Government repealed prohibition, did organized crime go away? No, it didn't. It found new and different things to sink it's teeth into.

It wasn't anywhere near as profitable or widespread, though.

 

[Jimmyjames]

It wasn't anywhere near as profitable or widespread, though.

You're kidding, right?

 

[Seanchaidh]

It wasn't anywhere near as profitable or widespread, though.

You're kidding, right?

After the end of prohibition? No. I'm not kidding that ending prohibition reduced the profitability of organized crime.

 

[King of the N00bs]

there is a reason why we have warning labels on detergent...if thats what ur wondering.
i think all illegal drugs should be illegal...except for cannabus

 

[Andantil]

People are very, very dumb, so some form of regulation is needed. Problem is that if the gov't says not to use drugs then some people will use drugs just because of that.

 

[Seanchaidh]

People are very, very dumb, so some form of regulation is needed.

Does not follow.

 

[Jimmyjames]

After the end of prohibition? No. I'm not kidding that ending prohibition reduced the profitability of organized crime.

You're trying to tell me there was less organized crime after the end of prohibition? Do a little research.

 

[tsb247]

Drugs are bad; THAT we can all agree on,

'fraid not. Some are, some aren't.
What we don't need is people with obvious biases detailing which we can/cannot use. Especially when they misinform others.

Show me an illegal drug with absolutely zero harmful effects.

 

[The_root_of_all_evil]

Drugs are bad; THAT we can all agree on,

'fraid not. Some are, some aren't.
What we don't need is people with obvious biases detailing which we can/cannot use. Especially when they misinform others.

Show me an illegal drug with absolutely zero harmful effects.

Show me a legal one with no side effects.

 

[tsb247]

Drugs are bad; THAT we can all agree on,

'fraid not. Some are, some aren't.
What we don't need is people with obvious biases detailing which we can/cannot use. Especially when they misinform others.

Show me an illegal drug with absolutely zero harmful effects.

Show me a legal one with no side effects.

Let's be realistic here. All drugs, be they legal or otherwise, have harmful effects associated with them. The one's that happen to be illegal are just as likely to be abused and cause as much harm as the ones that are legal. To justify legalizing a substance because it causes, "Harm, but maybe not as much," as a substance that is already legal is not particularly logical either.

 

[The_root_of_all_evil]

Let's be realistic here. All drugs, be they legal or otherwise, have harmful effects associated with them. The one's that happen to be illegal are just as likely to be abused and cause as much harm as the ones that are legal. To justify legalizing a substance because it causes, "Harm, but maybe not as much," as a substance that is already legal is not particularly logical either.

Indeed. The only real difference between legal and illegal drugs are that legal ones are taxed. Marijuana is no more likely to push you to Heroin than Ibuprofen is likely to push you to Vicodin.

Actually no, that's not strictly fair. No legal drugs, AFAIK, have caused a first use fatality, but then glue, tippex, arsenic, lead (which have) are still legal as well.

If we actually decriminalised the use of drugs, we could have doctors legally and unbiasedly study the effects so that realistic provisions could be made; and at the same time, increase the sentencing for supplying drugs that kill up to manslaughter.

I don't see why addicts have to bear the brunt of the law when suppliers are able to walk free.

 

[tsb247]

Let's be realistic here. All drugs, be they legal or otherwise, have harmful effects associated with them. The one's that happen to be illegal are just as likely to be abused and cause as much harm as the ones that are legal. To justify legalizing a substance because it causes, "Harm, but maybe not as much," as a substance that is already legal is not particularly logical either.

Indeed. The only real difference between legal and illegal drugs are that legal ones are taxed. Marijuana is no more likely to push you to Heroin than Ibuprofen is likely to push you to Vicodin.

Actually no, that's not strictly fair. No legal drugs, AFAIK, have caused a first use fatality, but then glue, tippex, arsenic, lead (which have) are still legal as well.

If we actually decriminalised the use of drugs, we could have doctors legally and unbiasedly study the effects so that realistic provisions could be made; and at the same time, increase the sentencing for supplying drugs that kill up to manslaughter.

I don't see why addicts have to bear the brunt of the law when suppliers are able to walk free.

Agreed for the most part, but I am against decriminalization for the reason that (as you stated) not enough research has been done on the effects of many drugs that many are wanting to be legalized.

 

[The_root_of_all_evil]

Agreed for the most part, but I am against decriminalization for the reason that (as you stated) not enough research has been done on the effects of many drugs that many are wanting to be legalized.

Problem being that until they're decriminalised, the Doctors can't do meaningful tests on them. Marijuana has already proven to be one of the best natural relaxants for the pain of cancer etc. but we can't do proper clinical trials because of the legality issues.
Ether/Nitrous Oxide have been proven to be carciogenic to my knowledge.

 

[tsb247]

Agreed for the most part, but I am against decriminalization for the reason that (as you stated) not enough research has been done on the effects of many drugs that many are wanting to be legalized.

Problem being that until they're decriminalised, the Doctors can't do meaningful tests on them. Marijuana has already proven to be one of the best natural relaxants for the pain of cancer etc. but we can't do proper clinical trials because of the legality issues.
Ether/Nitrous Oxide have been proven to be carciogenic to my knowledge.

I know some major universities have done studies with marijuana, but I am not sure how recent they are.

 

[Ninja_X]

Do whatever you want to yourself.

Just keep in mind that if you need a drug high to be happy, you are a loser.

 

[traceur_]

No. No. No.

They're illegal for a reason: They are fucking dangerous.