The Battle to Decriminalize All Drugs

Br. John wrote: I agree. Prohibition made things much worse. It did for alcohol and it's doing so for marijuana. We need to tax and regulate marijuana like we do wine. It's no longer a matter of if but when.

We've all drifted off topic. This is supposed to be about decriminalization (not legalization) of possession of substances for personal use.

As much as I have many moral reasons to oppose weed, weed decriminalization would in fact reduce a lot of anxiety in my life. As I've stated, I do not use it and believe that the only appropriate use of it would be medical. However, I am surrounded by people who use it profusely, and I cannot escape. I am in constant fear that I will be considered an accessory to the crime if they are caught. Make no mistake, if it were decriminalized, even legalized, I would still endeavor to keep it as far away from me as possible, but I would be without a great deal of worry.

http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/news/timstanley/100144422/sorry-stoners-the-war-on-drugs-is-a-necessary-evil-thats-here-to-stay/ This guy words it all a bit better than I can.

And the comments that follow refute him so well I don't need to bother.

I give up. Not on this debate, but on the issue.

I've been thinking about this over the past few days, and here's what I've come up with. Accept and refuse whatever parts you want.

I do not wish to see any currently prohibited drugs legalized or even decriminalized. Either would be ruinous. Mind you that the most evil element of drugs is drug trafficking, and while legalization may injure drug trafficking a little, decriminalization will not. While I do believe that drug traffickers and users alike should receive the death penalty as in Malaysia, I also know that it would not stop drug use and trafficking in the USA as it has almost completely done in Singapore and Malaysia, due to the vast size of the USA and the fact that both Singapore and Malaysia have more narrow entryways (in the case of Singapore, it is an island).

I hate to admit this, as an American who loves America, but we've grown accustomed to it. The "harmless" drug culture of the 1960s gave way to the decadence and cocaine of the 1970s, and in the 1980s, things got real. Society has been going down the drain ever since. I will of course make sure my votes are put in the directions that would most inhibit drug law liberalization, but I have lost faith in this country's will and resolve to end this plague.

When the girl's old enough, I'm off to Malaysia.

Be the change you wish to see. Don't run. We may disagree, but you are far to valuable as a part of me, us, to just go away.

rugadd wrote: Be the change you wish to see. Don't run. We may disagree, but you are far to valuable as a part of me, us, to just go away.

I'm not leaving TOTJO, and I'm not butthurt.

Star Forge wrote: I hate to admit this, as an American who loves America, but we've grown accustomed to it. The "harmless" drug culture of the 1960s gave way to the decadence and cocaine of the 1970s, and in the 1980s, things got real. Society has been going down the drain ever since.

I don't think society going downhill can be blamed on drugs (after all there are many, many people who don't do illegal drugs). I think societies problem is apathy. We don't care enough to change things because...well...it's not so bad and, like, it's a lot of work to create change. Easier just not to do anything and hope it fixes itself.

Wendaline wrote:

Star Forge wrote: I hate to admit this, as an American who loves America, but we've grown accustomed to it. The "harmless" drug culture of the 1960s gave way to the decadence and cocaine of the 1970s, and in the 1980s, things got real. Society has been going down the drain ever since.

I don't think society going downhill can be blamed on drugs (after all there are many, many people who don't do illegal drugs). I think societies problem is apathy. We don't care enough to change things because...well...it's not so bad and, like, it's a lot of work to create change. Easier just not to do anything and hope it fixes itself.

I would not, for half a second, blame all our societal ills on drugs. However, bear one thing in mind. You are right to put the blame on apathy, which overlaps and is linked with the death of personal responsibility in the USA. The "fun" drug culture of the 60s, however, is where I believe this abandonment of personal responsibility began.

This topic is about decriminalization of drug possession for personal use. It's not about legalization or taxation and regulation. Look at what one pill did to this man. This is where the law is the real crime. This is not justice. Under a decriminalization scenario he'd have paid a civil fine with no criminal record and been referred to treatment if he needed it. He didn't.

How a Single Oxycontin Pill Nearly Ruined One Man's Life

http://reason.com/archives/2012/08/06/how-a-single-oxycontin-pill-nearly-ruine


Part of the message is hidden for the guests. Please log in or register to see it.

That's why you NEVER plead guilty and you never agree to have your car searched without a warrant. Our legal system isn't there for our safety anymore. I've known people who have had their lives ruined like this too and it's insane! They too made the mistake of a no contest plea and I don't know why any lawyer would encourage that unless maybe they're in on the scam too.