Legalize drugs? Good idea or bad idea???

Question

I am not a drug user or advocate of drug use. So spare me the hateful emails to the contrary. That being said.......

As Americans we spend BILLIONS each year in alcohol and tobaco sales. Companies like Anheuser-Busch spend $10 million just for a 30-second slot during the Super Bowl to try and get you to buy their alcohol! And tobaco sales? In the BILLIONS! So why then does our government spend over $60 BILLION a year trying to keep you from smoking pot, snorting coke, and popping some little white pills with hearts on them? Honestly, what's the difference between people buying and absuing alcohol, and people buying and abusing pot, coke, or ecstasy? Seems to me that by legalizing drugs, not only will we save $60 billion a year or more, but we could actually MAKE billions on the taxation of drugs! This is in addition to putting drug cartels out of business and reducing crime by over 50% on average! Thoughts????

Answer 1

Through the illegalization of drugs we have effectively created a multi-hundred billion dollar a year black market. With all this money to be made, you can be certain that people will go out and try to sell, produce, and transport this stuff. There is a demand for these products but no legal supply. There is a lot of criminal activity which is associated with any illegal black market, drugs are included in this. By legalizing some drugs (like marijuana) we can accomplish a few things. We can regulate the safety of the product, we can generate tax revenue on the product (sales tax, income tax, and other taxes like alcohol or tobacco), and we can eliminate this black market and the crime associated with it.

Answer 2

Yes drugs should be legal. Keeping drugs illegal not only wastes billions of dollars on the "Drug War." But it also causes people who choose to put these substances into their own bodies to be likened with criminals. We live in a country that brags about being "free" when we cannot even choose if we want to put something into our bodies, or even grow a plant. Legalizing drugs will take the criminal part out of the drug trade, because if drugs were legal, there would be no money to make by trafficking drugs. Also the drugs would be cheap and this would prevent people who are addicted from resorting to a life of crime and eventually robbing others to support their habit(Yes i know addiction is terrible). I believe that drugs should be legal, but in order to get them you must speak with a doctor who will tell you the effects of the drug, and what it will do to you short and long term. Then you can get a subscription and go to a pharmacy and but a cheap and pure drug. This will prevent people from dying through unpure drugs. Also the cheapness will reduce crime as people wont need to resort to robbery. And then throw all the tax revenues our country could get on top of that, and its a fantastic idea.

Answer 3

Well the money would be great, but let's also think about the cost that would be incurred by putting millions of people through rehab. The overall economy could also be affected by the possible decline in employment as well as the quality of work being done. Some other issues that would be increased is operating motor vehicles while under the influence of drugs, thus making driving even more dangerous. All in all, the liabilities out way the billions of dollars saved and earned.

Answer 4

Yes we should legalize them because in time, they all will be legalized. Why not do it now, than at a later date? It certainly would be a better outcome for the future.

We would then be able to close down the drug cartels as you said and the unemployed small dealer would have to find a job. It would the world around and the fascination of "Pandoras Box" regarding drugs would be ommitted.

If people wish to kill themselves on Heroin, knowing that its addictive and life harming then good luck to them. Its no different than what smokers are doing each day.

Take the glamour away from the drugs and legalize them all. The end results at first will put a lot of peple off drugs than put them on them.

Answer 5

Although in principle I agree with you, what a person does with his/her body is his/her business alone, the government should play no part in it.

That said, if you want to see what happens where the government does not regulate the drugs the population has access to just go to Katmandu or read up on China's situations before the revolution.

Generally speaking people are stupid. For proof of this just look at how many people believe in supernatural creatures (benevolent or otherwise) for which there is not one iota of evidence and at the same time wont accept climate change an extremely well documented and predictable phenomena.

Answer 6

I also am not a drug user or advocate of it.. but i feel that one or many contries will never get of drugs .. os why not make it legal and tax it.. have save injection sites ( like the pilot project in Vancouver ) and this way people who are users can be in a safe enviroment . the gouvernement is making money on the drugs and putting it back into programs to keep people off drugs and teach the youth about the dangers of drugs... same thing should go with alcohol, tabaco and prostitution...

Answer 7

Marijuana is the only drug that should be legal . and alcohol should be banned ... You will not beat your wife or home on in a rage or Puke your guts out or lose your job if you smoke a little weed every once in ahwile..But you will if you drink...I haven't had a joint since the sixties ... I know what crack does and coke ..people will take there kids Chritmas presents and pawn them for those drugs,,So be careful what you ask for..
Also if drugs are readliy available these kiddies will not want it ..becasue then they wont be getting away with anything, Makes sense to me... This is a sensitive subject . I am anxious to see the responses. I wish you all love and peace..

Answer 8

Yes absolutely legalize drugs. I know I can't wait to commute to work with stoned and cranked up truckers whizzing past my econo box as I anticipate the joy of sitting in my own dump truck while some wacked out operator on LSD swings VW beetle sized buckets of dirt and rock around my cab. That will truly add excitement to my otherwise boring day.

And I know if he crushes me that my ER Doctor won't be affected in any negative way by the bong hit he took just before they wheeled me in and I'm certain my surgeons hands will be extra steady since we all know that rich people get the best cocaine...

Yup let's git r done.

Or maybe it's a REALLY BAD IDEA.

Answer 9

Some Drugs should be. Drugs like Grass, Acid, Mushrooms & Mescaline. These drugs are non-toxic and non-addictive. Plus they can have great spiritual qualities. Drugs like heiron or cocaine Im not sure about. The less crackheads on the street the better, I have been robbed twice by cokies

Answer 10

Alcohol,tobacco and drugs,,along with cell phone use while driving..should all be banned...It'll save lives,,hospital bills,,and families burden of losing a loved one who could have lived longer....died before their time.....My mom and dad died from alcohol and i was following their steps...I'm an alcoholic and I'm gonna try to live as long as i can,,my kids deserve that much and so do i..some people can probably tell you stories about drugs and how it affected their lives..this is not hate mail,,it's a life lesson..LEARNED..and now setting an example to our future.