Just for the record, jimpatro, I’m not a “drug head”. I used to smoke pot, and have done some other things, but these days I stick to alcohol and caffeine. But I still support legalization, for a variety of reasons.
First, for practical reasons: the drug war is unequivocally an abysmal failure. Even many law enforcement officials admit this. Despite the billions of dollars spent, and the tens of thousands of people jailed for no greater crime than performing experiments on their own nervous systems, drug use continues unabated. All that has been accomplished is the level of violence associated with drug dealing has risen exponentially, and countless lives have been ruined in the name of shameless political scapegoating.
Most of the problems associated with drug use, the violence, crime, and gangs, are directly caused by the fact that drugs are illegal. It’s trite to even point it out, but look at the example of Prohibition. When alcohol was illegal, the Mafia sold illegal liquor, and we saw the exact same kind of violence and corruption then with alcohol that we do today with other drugs.
Also, for personal, ethical reasons: I believe that I have the right to decide in what ways I will or will not alter my own consciousness. I decide, not the government. As long as I’m not harming anyone else, it’s nobody else’s business.
Drugs should be regulated, yes. Minors should not be allowed to purchase them. And laws regarding public intoxication, driving under the influence, etc. are entirely appropriate. But jailing someone, ruining their career and seizing their property, because they choose to smoke a joint or do a line in the privacy of their own home, harming no one, is absolutely wrong.
And speaking of minors, are you aware that it is much, much easier (in my experience) for minors to obtain pot or ecstasy, among others, than it is for them to obtain alcohol? Why do you think that is?
As for your point about laws: In my opinion, just because something is a Law, doesn’t automatically make it right. It used to be a law that Americans had to pay taxes to the king of England. It used to be perfectly legal to own another human being. There are good laws, and there are bad laws. I beleive people have a responsibility to seek to change bad laws. This is a bad law.
Okay, now for some cites. Not my strong suit, I’ll admit. So I’ll just point out some other posters who have done some research. Please read the excellent posts by SuaSponte in this thread, and the many thoughtful responses here. Scotth, if you’re reading this, I tried to find the thread where you laid out an eminently sensible drug policy proposal, but came up empty. Perhaps you could point me to it?
