theNoosphere.com

It doesn't end, unless we want to roll up our sleeves and dig to the root (Jesus, two root metaphors in one day--I was doing a lot of gardening over the weekend) of the problem.

Why do people do drugs?
And, more importantly, how can I get me some?

Our answer to most problems is to throw more money at it, put more cops on the streets, put more people in prison, but we never want to do the hard work of alleviating the conditions where drug abuse seems to thrive. Of course, people of all walks of life, of all races and creeds and financial situations, are susceptible to the horrors of drug addiction, but it seems to manifest more virulently in areas of poverty, neglect, and alienation. (As does terrorism, but that's another thread.)

To use a joke from "America the Book:" You have to have something to do after ******* a slave."

That's a tough question, given as a blanket statement. I voted yes because I believe that marijuana should be legal. I have no original arguments, just the comparison to alcohol being legal and the money saved through law enforcement, courts, jails... The economy could benefit from keeping the money in the country. As for other drugs (opiates, narcotics), I don't think so. It's hard enough to convince addicts to stop without adding the "but it's legal..." argument. Plus there is a great divide when it comes to violent crime, pot smokers vs. crack smokers.

Why does it always seem in these arguments that people assume that because it is legal, everyone will have access? There are many legal drugs that are limited by prescription, or in the case of alcohol, by age. The question is whether by legalizing it the government can then get better control over it. For many of these drugs, they now have no control. If they are legalized, will the government be able to successfully limit access and control supply? If not, there's no point in legalizing it.

Right. I am not advocating open access with legalization but rather something more like prescription drugs function today. This will still lead to something of a black market (as already noted we have that today for both alcohol and cigarettes when both are legal now) but not nearly the profit margins or sales volumes we see today, both of which lead to drugs being such an attractive business for people to get into.

And not to be completely insensitive or mercenary here, but ... talk about a boost to the economy. The collegiate market alone could probably pay one CEO's annual bonus w/in a semester or two.

and imagine all of the money lawyers will get when the same amount of crimes that happen with DUIs will now happen with being under the influence of a controlled substance.

all the money that hostess will make, dominos pizza, funyons...all booming!!

but dont forget about the fact that inhibitions are lowered and now sexual activity and things that go along with that are going to be more common.

and that people smoking out all the time are going to kill outdoor activity and activieness in general that will be killed. no stoner worth his weight in salt wants to blaze up...

I mean, there's going to eventually be a point where we won't allow some things but who knows what that line is or when we'll reach it?

I am totally in favor of legalizing drugs because it can generate a lot of money and it means that the government will have a little more control in the drug industry. Amsterdam is a good example of how legalizing drugs like weed can work so what's holding us back?

The U.S. is still full of people that are prudes and would probably be rejoicing in the streets if prohibition were made legal again. The citizens of the U.S. mostly want to just make something illegal like drugs so they don't have to deal with the problem and they can try to ignore it. But that's not going to work because we need to confront the issue and admit that there is a problem and try to find solutions.

If people could go to a store and buy drugs without fear of getting sent to jail then it could help reduce drug killings and decrease the power and control that drug dealers have over their clients because their clients can have somewhere else to turn to.

Now, knowing my government I'm fairly sure that even if they did agree to make drugs legal there would be a lot of gray area and tons of restrictions especially for those who would buy the drugs and the drugs would probably cost a lot of money. The bad thing is that this could backfire on the government and push people to go to dealers even more increasing the problem.

So basically, I am for legalizing drugs but I also feel that it will take a long time and a lot of work for us to get to the point where we can do it and make it work.

Hidy ho neighbors. Haven't been around in a while, and figured I should chime in having been an avid drug user in the 70's and mid 80's. It's amazing I'm not dead, and can actually function like a normal person. I never shot up, or did crack, but abused most known drugs.

I even see a real problem with grass. I can say that from first hand knowlege on how many drugs take a hold on you.

It's funny, but those old adds we made fun of that said it's starts with grass as a stepping stone to other drugs were so true. I started smokin grass at the ripe old age of 12, and continued well into my early 40's. I would say legalize grass, but it took me, and so many others down a bad road, and nearly got me killed at least once that I can remember. I put so many people at risk while wasted and driving on one drug or another. I lived to get high for so much of my young life.


So ya see, sitting at a campfire in 1973 at boyscout summer camp, and takin that first hit of a joint changed my world forever.

Why in Gods name would I want any drug legalized when I know there's a good chance somebody could go down the road many have, myself included, just but takin a toke.

Side note: Dorito's dont cut it OM, not enough sugar so you have to eat a lot. Ring Dings work, but a fluffernutter with Hershys syrup on top is the best for a quick fix. Protine, and lots of sugar

Oh, and China Town at sunrise while doing Orange Sunshine is just amazing to see