Twenty-five reasons to legalize drugs

I agree that the war on illegal drugs is futile. But so is selling it by making all illegal drugs from any business that chooses to sell these drugs. What the state can do is take all that money it is spending on the legal system and spend it on those via hospital care who will abuse these drugs no matter what they are told. I think it still would be cheaper than it is now with the failed war on drugs but only time would tell on such an experiment. Also I would restrict the sales of today's illegal drugs to only state operated sales outlets. That is each of the 50 states would be able to set policy and not the insanity of having uniform standards set by the US Government. That policy of uniform standards leaves only one model to look at and this normally means that the US Government will make a mess of it and where are other models to look at to determine best how to clean it up. No, I say KEEP the US Government out of state affairs and let the states have their fifty different models for the voters to look at and determine for themselves which is best for them in their particular state. This way the state government would be able to charge what it wants for helping to fund the hospital care of those who just won't listen to reason on how much to ingest of some drug. Also the state would be responsible for keeping track of usage patterns and report them to the voters for their consideration. Thus a buyer of such drug would have to properly identify themselves before such drugs would be sold to that person. Such personal information would never be used against a buyer and would be kept confidential especially from the US Government which abuses almost every power it has. Also for the abusers of such drugs, I would place them under doctor care NOT to cure them but to so restrict their usage levels to enable this person to regain their physical health. So many abusers of such drugs have forgotten how good it feels to be physically healthy. Then a discussion would occur with this person concerning the topic of staying physically healthy with those wanting to help this person maintain their physical health and an ongoing medical record would be kept to track this person's ability to stay physically healthy. As it is now, this sort of help is definitely NOT offered to those placed in jail. They have no hope of such help to help them remember what it is like to be physically healthy. So a life of misery is all they know and that is all they have. Incidentally the same sort of restriction on level of usage could be done with those who abuse liquor and cigarettes. That is under physician care so restrict their usage levels that they regain their physical health as much as reasonbly possible in a number of months. This could easily save mightily on hospital bills for abusers of liquor and cigarettes. Anyway, I know of no country in the world which has this policy in place on any of the drugs that are favored by people for their usage. Again I repeat I would NOT even try to cure such a abuser of any favored drug but rather show them what it feels like to be physically healthy and then have an ongoing discussion over the rest of that person's life on what it takes to keep the usage level down to the amount that allows the user to be physically healthy as much as they are able to be.

This is just another petition website. Good argument, with probably some good points, but I can't take it seriously at the moment.

I am also for legalization of soft drugs like "marijuana," but NOT for the legalization of all drugs.

In case of drugs, that has to do more with the restrictions from "The big Farm" industries that lobby and force the Government to go after illegal producers because it will hurt their profits.

Not else it is a human physical health and psychological issue that can ruin families and destroy societies.

@trobyone, Yes because looks, money and prestige are so important, in fact they are the most important things in the world right?

Oh and saying "Mr.I-stay-up-and-watch-adultswim-instead-of-having-a-life" and then saying "Learn to expand your mind and not be such a typical bigot and stereotyper" Proves you are a hypocritical douche bag.

Thank you Trobyone and you have a good day!

Marijuana is the only drug that should be leagalized. If we all know what it can do to us, then it is our choice to take it. But the others ones shouldn't. If we leagalize all of them, then they might start to decline in the teaching about the effects. We need to crack down on the big ones like Meth, not the little things that cigarettes and Marijuana.

Yes thanks Marilynn...its legal and only when my work for the day is done..you should try it..very relaxing...

It is time to end this madness. The only drug I consider bad, really bad, is meth. It makes people crazy.
We could use a portion of the money spent on drug law enforcement for treatment/rehabilitation of users, and make drug use a health issue rather than a crime.
Besides, the drugs you see advertised on tv generally do more harm than what they fix.

mcwally, Ever even drink a beer?

İf medical marijuana is made legal for those genuine diagnosed cases that would benefit greatly form it then allow it to be prescribed for these people..as for the rest of people who crave to take drugs..what a sad life you must lead to have to rely on something other than your own intelligenge to feed your minds..knowledge is the food of understanding..you will get higher in your life by the way you learn to think than by clouding your minds with a secondary and costly distraction.But as always it is by your choice that you yourselves will always feed the flames...

Drug legalization is a long overdue ruling.

The 'War on Drugs' has been a well thought out scheme to perpetuate untold dollars directed towards law enforcement. The vilification of 'drug users' has fueled a deprivation of civil liberties and has filled our prisons needlessly. Any sincere effort to combat victimless crimes should be directed against the 'system' that enables all illicit conduct, the cash driven black market.

There is an extremely simple way to disrupt and destroy the drug trade, and all other black market activities. Simply change the color of U.S. currency, make it blue, for example. Provide a 30 day opportunity to cash in greenbacks in exchange for the new money, and make those who exchange report where they got their cash. After 30 days the 'greenbacks' are worthless. Think of all the Dollars sitting in vaults in Colombia that become worthless, eliminating the profits generated by all illicit conduct.

If our government realistically wanted to eliminate the trade, instead of using it to funnel more funds to enforcement, they would periodically pull the rug from under the suppliers, thereby disrupting their compensatory system.

Anything less is lip service which perpetuates an oppressive and harmful intrusion into the lives of the citizens, and seeks votes from a frightened populace who respond to the politics of fear, which has sadly become the hall mark of America of late.

I have looked at the 54 prior posts and I don't think anyone has talked about industrial hemp. Industrial hemp could replace many of the products now be made from oil. Hemp and cannabis are both illegal.

The drug war eliminates the discussion of industrial hemp, which could help farmers by providing a crop that is easy to grow and could generate new income for struggling farmers.

America has lost much of our industrial base to foreign countries. Hemp could bring back industry in America.

http://www.jackherer.com/chapters.html
Includes facts and sources to back up facts. Facts hidden from our history books.

Challenge issued in book 'The Emperor Wears No Clothes':
**************
$100,000 Challenge to Prove Us Wrong!

If all fossil fuels and their derivatives, as well as trees for paper and construction, were banned in order to save the planet, reverse the Greenhouse Effect and stop deforestation;

Then there is only one known annually renewable natural resource that is capable of providing the overall majority of the world's paper and textiles; meet all of the world's transportation, industrial and home energy needs, while simultaneously reducing pollution, rebuilding the soil and cleaning the atmosphere all at the same time...

and that substance is the same one that has done it before . . .
************
I would like to hear more about industrial hemp. Could it be a new industrial product in America?

Keep your Kryptonite away from my offspring...
And I'll keep my laser beams off of your planet...
Oh, and next time...
Three knocks at the back door, fool....

All drugs should be legal. MADD, AA and other addiction agencies have done a wonderful job at changing the public's perception of drug use, especially when there is the potential of harming others. When all drugs are legal, and taxed we can then can set up a system of rehab and education with the tax money. In addition, allowing employers to do random drug tests is the best way to limit drug use. I have many friends that won't touch any drugs because of the fear of losing thier job. It's all about economics. Remember, only the unmet need motivates.

I didn't say they are Clay. Some are pretty decent people, misguided but decent nonetheless. Some even smoke a little pot.

ClayJ, I love you, I really do, but saying semiconservative is like saying semiretired. You either are or you aren't.

Not alll drugs shuld be legal but alot should .We need less jails more and rehabs and unbias drug education programs.

seems there have been many years of trying to control substance abuse with no or little success. would be logical to admit it's time to try a new approach. taking the illegaility out of the equation takes the cost to society out too.

amypoo, rather be a hippy than a rude jerk.

SHUT UP YOU BUNCH OF FUGIN HIPPIES.

heehe

^_^

Consider that our fearless leaders began the 'War on Drugs' scam, con, whatever, as a cover for the covert operations during the Iran Contra scandal...Our own government, under Reagan, assumed control over the drug trade in order to sell as much as possible, convert the profits to guns, and deliver the guns into the hands of the Contras...just a nice neat plan...the only problem was that they assumed that it would be a cake walk just like all their other hair-brain schemes before and since. However, some things are easier said than done, especially when it involves 'Hidden Agendas' ...mostly kept secret from the Congress and the Tax Payers...and after Congress got wind of it, most of the players in that whole affair still walked... Ollie North got the lucrative lecture tour. Joe Citizen got thrown in jail and the Bushes invested in jail related services with exorbitant prices for the inmates, i.e. payphones in the cell blocks...just more creative ways to screw the public and get phat in the offing...

So yeah, legalize some ganga...we need a change in attitude after all this recent dubious debacle...

I'll be ready for a huge party the day Dubya walks out the White House door for the last time...YAAA HOOOO

If it dose become legal (and I highly doubt that it will be until 25 years from now).

1. Make it legal in general and allow states to make there own rules.

2. Start exporting the crap out of it. USA is the #1 producer of all the marijuana in the world it is about time we were first in something again.

3. Make sure there is treatment for abuse.

My business? If you are implying I'm a drug dealer or part of organized crime based on my username, then I am assuming you're retarded due to being shaken as a baby based on your user name and pic.

I do have a business and label, named MafiosoTees. Hence the user name Mafioso. And I named my company that because the shirts I make tend to promote underground and left wing ideas that are at times deemed "illegal" by the moral majority (such as the legalization of marijuana/drugs). So it's a play on the meaning of the words "mafia" or "mafioso".

As far as the illegal drug trade being a part of undeground criminal organizations(such as the mafia), anything illegal is a part of those organizations (drugs, pirated material, designer knockoffs, prostitution, kickbacks, etc). However, they are only able to take part in these activities due to the corruption and ease of operations directly in connection with the consistent negligence that the government perpetrates against the illegal drug trade by enforcing ridiculous laws, using these criminal organizations as scapegoats (by implying shutting down these "mafias" will rid us of the illegal drug trade,which it obviously doesn't), and not treating the real issues and problems caused by the illegalization of drugs. Something that is convenient for our corrupt government.

Of course I realize you may have been being facetious with that comment, but in case you were being serious, I thought I'd enlighten your mind.

but Mafioso, isn't the illegal drug trade a big part of your business now, despite the reservations of some old-school Dons?

This is a topic I have honestly talked about with people since I was 13... No fucking joke. I even wrote a senior paper on it and was given a hell of alot of trouble for it. That was in 1998.

I won't even go on my diatribe, but it all comes down to this. Legalization isn't about making the consumption of those drugs easier to control, it should be about seeing what those drugs can be used for and tailoring their use for those purposes. Also, even if there was legalization that wouldn't get rid of addictive personalities (of drug users) or addictive qualities in those drugs, which is why initiating programs in which those who are addicted to those substances would not just be able to detox, but take a comprehensive approach to recovery.

The drug war is a sham, perpetrated by the government and corporations that can take advantage of the hell that drug addiction can unleash on it's users.

it is amazing that any government has the audacity to outlaw a plant. a plant! it used to grow naturally all over the continent , and we made it against the law. we basically outlawed nature with that one. it makes no sense and it hurts the entire general public to put people in prison for having pot. absolutely ludicrous if you think about it

Just Legalize Marijuana..It come's from seed it isn't MAN MADE with extra things added just to fill in the blanks that has crazy side affect's like most prescription drug's that are FDA approve where if you are taking something for a cold,it will take your cold away,But the side effects are vomiting and lot's of pooping where as Marijuana has great need's and can be used for it's hemp as well, and it has way many good uses and if they legalize it,Don't tax it and take it's THC content away...And Add preservatives and unneeded chemical's to harm it's quality and natural value,And people don't abuse it's use either...Thank you...1

People smoke just as much weed now as if it were legal. the only reason someone stops toking up is to pass a drug test for a job or something of that nature. Its just crazy.

Legalizing drugs, would eliminate half the money we have to spend keeping people in jail. Spend the money on rehab centers and let there be a governing body regulating drugs, like they do the Methodone. Marijuana should be completely legalized just like cigarettes.

I'm sick of any policy that screws over all the responsible 'offenders' because of the behavior of a few idiots. There are a lot of other industries that we could legislate in this manner. Imagine that because of Janet Jackson's unexpected nipple, all women's outfits were required to be inspected before appearing on live television. Or that because of a handful of car crashes, we drop the speed limit to 10 mph. Ridiculous, right? I don't wont to live in a world limited by the lowest common denominator. Let a few people abuse the system, it will be more to their ultimate detriment and the benefits society as a whole might reap would far outweigh a couple extra stoners. It's not like they aren't in short supply in the current situation.

I agree

Oh yes! Finally we don't have to hide in alleys or under bridges. We can do it in our homes. Our house warming parties will turn into leaf elite parties, where we share stories and smoke weed at the same time. I like that idea, keep going......

Legalize

Among Reagan's many failed programs and policies during his administration, his declaration of a "War on Drugs", is perhaps his greatest.

The war of drugs has forced this country into a war on its own citizens by enforcing strict drugs laws that fuel our already overwhelmed prisons (The US has less than 5% of the world's population but over 23% of the world's incarcerated people) and turn "criminals" who's main crime is using a drug that is no more harmful than many legal or prescription dugs (alcohol, painkillers etc.), into heavier drugs or crime after they are exposed to the prison system..

In our FEDERAL prisons 50% of criminals are drug offenders. It is simply time to stop waging war on our own people.

The war on drugs has failed and will fail forever. It is not a deterrent, people will always use to escape their problems and reality, it is a fact. Now I am not for legalizing all drugs, as opiates and amphetamines are dangerous enough to the individual that they should not be legal, However, existing drug laws also need to be changed to remove the stark contrast in punishment from crack cocaine to regular powder cocaine. These differences are inherently race biased as crack cocaine rose to prominence in the black community in the 1980s and although it gives the user a faster more intense high, it is the same drug and should be treated as such.

Drug laws and america have a long convoluted history that is to long to detail in this post, but to summarize most were generated by mass propaganda, scare tactics and implied racism. As our country moves forward in the next 4 years (hopefully with our first african american president, and a new foreign policy), it is time to change our internal politics as well, and drug laws, our prison population and how we treat our own citizens is as good a place to start as any.

whats going to happen is whats going to happen.

Marijuana isnt dangerous, unless you live next to a pizza shop. People who sell cocaine and hard drugs should be shot. Those who disagree need to loose a love one to this epidemic. I admire what Carrol O'Connor did.

Keeping going...there are about twenty-five hundred more reasons to legalize drugs. And none being to "get high!"

Considering that Marijuana isn't dangerously harmful to health, it could be legalized. I would think legalizing all kinds of drugs would prove fatal due to their harmful and addictive nature. Think, if all could buy these from a cigarette shop how many more can get addicted without knowing the consequences, how many more school kids would be into it.

amazing article about the war on drugs: http://www.rollingstone.com/news/story/17438347/how_america_lost_the_war_on_drug...

i seen this show on the history channel that marijuana was made illegal on a false accusation that it makes people kill others but the case they used to present this to the government in the '50s they excluded the part that the reason this guy killed his parents was that he had a mental disease and NOT because of marijauna and really ever since then it was made illegal.

Clay, recreational Marijuana could improve the lives of thousands too. It doesn't destroy peoples liver. It is fairly harmless and it is non addictive. The gateway drug song is bull shit. But if the dealer has everything it becomes a problem. Yes, it can improve the lives of sick people. It needs to be sold in liquor stores or tobacco shops. Taxed, and legal. If you could buy it like that and be assured there was nothing mixed with it people would rather. That is just an opinion of a liberal Democrat. We believe in a little fun.

I won't be satisfied until marijuana is legal and there are hilarious marijuana commercials on my television.

Well, not ALL drugs. Just most.

i think they should legalize mj but meth, crack, and heroin are too destructive to allow people to do.

drop acid, not bombs.

Ricky84 you're so sensible.

“Drug addiction is widely considered a pathological state.The disorder of addiction involves the progression of acute drug use to the development of drug-seeking behavior, the vulnerability to relapse, and the decreased, slowed ability to respond to naturally rewarding stimuli.” – Wikipedia

Anyone out there smoke or drink coffee?

If you don’t like ATHF then you’re crazy and I hate you. Moving on

We should decriminalize the Mary Jane, because there is a real use for it. We should also explore the medical benefits of other drugs like MDMA which I hear can be used to treat post traumatic stress disorder. Some drugs like crack, cocaine, heroin and meth should be eradicated, although that’ll probably never happen.

If anything we should tax legal pot and use the money to build more treatment centers for people who suffer from addiction.

pot will get "legalized " , but then the gov't will regulate THC content , and there'll be a black market in kind bud - and there will still be a war on drugs .

I am with the former the Clinton Surgeon General woman, Jocelyn Elders, who had advocated for the total legalization of all drugs. The money being spent on this war on drugs is a complete waste of time and resources, not to mention the toll it takes on the poor.

All the drugs should be regulated based on how dangerous they are. I think I would put them into this order, personally from least dangerous to most dangerous.

Class One (to be sold by most commercial vendors)
Marijuana (No one has ever died from a MJ overdose)
Alcohol (Since this drug has been mostly legal anyways)
Cigarettes (As much as I detest these things, don't know why anyone would want to put cancer into their lungs)

Class Two (to be sold by pharmacies and authorized dispensaries)
Opiates (opium and poppy plants)
LSD & Mushrooms
Cocaine
Heroine

Class Three (to be vigorously prosecuted, controlled and eradicated)
Crack Cocaine
Methamphetamines/Amphetamines/Speed/Crystal (perhaps some form of this in Pharmaceutical grade could be used for medical purposes, but if so it should be strictly controlled as it is now)

Personally, I'm against the use of marijuana. Only cause I think smoking of anything is bad and unattractive (to me). But I'm all for the decriminalization of marijuana. My concern is that we throw these low offense (which I think they consider a felony) into prison with people who are MORE dangerous (such as murder). I understand if it is heroin and meth but even that doesn't deserve prison sentences. That deserves forced rehab. Then again, we would have to revise our justice system and change our laws but the higher ups are too lazy for that.... : /

The money that's been spent on the, so called, War On Drugs since the Reagan years could have been used to burn all of the poppy fields to a crisp and kept our prisons from overflowing with folks who don't belong there. What a waste.

wow!! "rabidlemur" !!!!!!. You think that all potheads play Guitar Hero and slack off. Hmmm. I went to school at an Ivy League school in the northeast, studied abroad in London, and now work for a Fortune 200 company as a consultant. Not a Fortune 500 company, but one in the top 200. And I smoke everyday. I also don't even own a PS2, let alone a PS3 or Xbox. Lets compare paychecks and the looks of our girlfriends, Mr. I-stay-up-and-watch-adultswim-instead-of-having-a-life, and see if you win. Learn to expand your mind and not be such a typical bigot and stereotyper. Wheew, that felt good. ;-) Have a nice day.

And P.S. I do like ATHF

I've known many hard working successful people that smoke a little pot and managed to function in the real world. Just like alcohol if abused it screws things up. Legalize it for Gods sake. Ten Per Cent of our population is in jail. How many are there for drug related charges? It's time we grew up.

haha rabiblemur,

you are telling me that you watch "aqua teen hunger force" (his icon) and don't toke a bowl....? c'mon!!

:)

i think that decriminalization is the key too. legalization implies the state taking control of marijuana and drug companies wanting to patent strains. if we leave taxes out of the picture, increase the use of medical marijuana that is already grown in cali and colo by anyone who applies, and make it legal for those over 18, i think we would have a much healthier view of the miracle herb that is cannabis, weed, hemp, marijuana, ganga and mother earths most potent healer of body, mind and spirit.

I'd like to see drugs decriminalized and taxed in the same way Cigarettes and alcohol are, its a medical issue, not a criminal one in my most humble opinion.

That being said, potheads suck, get a life ya slackers, there is more to life than Guitar Hero and South park... douche bags.

i agree with marilynn just legalize marijuana , that way they can concentrate on actual drugs. i think the only reason weed is illegal if because the gov. will be unable to make money off it, they cant tax it. People will just grow their own for the most part.

I'm for the legalization of marijuana. I think we should take another long look at how we treat the use of other drugs. Maybe decriminalization is the answer?