Smoking

[Oldandeasilyconfused]

Please do post your arguments

OK, briefly:. These are some of my opinions. I don't claim to have 'THE' answers.I do claim my views are far from unique and worthy of consideration:


REGARDLESS,there will always be addicts of some kind,banning a substance does not remove the problem.There is a limit to how far a government can or should go to protect people from self destructive behaviour.

I have seen no evidence that legalistion increases the rate of addiction. In fact in the US and Australia,the exact opposite is demonstrably the case.


The US currently has the largest per capita prison population on earth. Legalising [and licensing,as just like tobacco) recreational drugs currently illegal would radically reduce the prison population and the rate of certain crimes,such as robbery and many crimes of violence related to drugs. .

The corporations would move in to produce, supply and sell the drugs which would be produced at a consistent strength and purity,just any legal drug, . Fits would be cheap and easily obtained.There be fewer deaths from diseases such as AIDS and Hep C as well as from overdose. National health costs would be reduced dramatically..

Emphasis would be harm minimalisation,both to the addict and broader community.

Want to control the TYPE of addiction? Make dope the cheapest drug,followed by heroin.Make drugs such as cocaine and speed MUCH more expensive(but still much cheaper than street drugs) A person addicted to heroin receiving regular,pure,consistent doses delivered cleanly,can survive and function at a high level for many years.Much longer than say an alcoholic.

Legalisation would virtually destroy the economic base of many criminal organisations such as The Mexican Mafia and Street gangs in the US and the drug cartels in South America.

Tax revenues would be huge.


BUT Control would still exist; Supplying minors would attract severe penalties AND people would remain responsible for their actions under the influence of drugs,just as they do with alcohol.


I offer no moral argument apart from "the greatest good for the greatest number".That and my observation that you can't often save people from themselves