Drug Prohibition

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-mexdrug14nov14,0,3274903.story

The problem with drug prohibition is pretty simple really.  When there is a great demand for drugs, and drugs are made illegal, criminals turn to the black market, and or criminal organizations/drug smugglers to get their drugs.  The result? A massive international trade in illicit drugs leaving thousands dead, millions upon millions of tax dollars wasted on hunting down & jailing peaceful potheads, and prison overcrowding with no good solution in sight but outright legalization.

Just like a long time ago in the U.S., alcohol prohibition brought us Al Capone and increased organized crime levels, our drug war is bringing us the corruption, violence, and wasteful spending we see in our government today.  The solution is simple:  legalize.

Legalization of marijuana would free up police resources to hunt down real criminals like murderers and rapists, while simultaneously destroying the criminal narcotics trade, and saving countless human lives & tax dollars that could be better spent elsewhere.

Here's a great link from wikipedia with an enormous number of great facts that I STRONGLY recommend you take the time to read:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drug_war

To quote from it:  "Environmental consequences of the drug war, resulting from US-backed aerial fumigation of drug-growing operations in third world countries, have been criticized as detrimental to some of the world's most fragile ecosystems; the same aerial fumigation practices are further credited with causing health problems in local populations."

The link discusses everything from environmental consequences, practical effects, history, foreign policy, etc.  I see every reason for people to support drug legalization whether you are a law enforcement officer, an environmentalist, or a civil liberties advocate.


Here are a few organizations that support reforming U.S. Marijuana laws in this direction:

http://www.norml.org/

http://www.drugpolicy.org/homepage.cfm

http://www.mpp.org/site/c.glKZLeMQIsG/b.1086497/k.BF78/Home.htm

http://www.leap.cc/

>>3
"people shouldn't be allowed to destroy their mind for the sake of their own enjoyment"

ban tattoos, people shouldn't be allowed to damage their skin for the sake of their own taste in art and expression

ban foods high in calories and fats, people shouldn't be allowed to destroy their bodies for the sake of their own preference in food

ban free speech, people shouldn't be allowed to speak out against the government for the sake of their own personal views and civil rights

beginning to see how dumb you sound?

"think of the progress in society that would be hampered by our nation's youngsters growing up smoking pot?"

yeah because god forbid we lose a single useful mind to choice and personal enjoyment. humans are slaves to their own society to produce things and ways to make our lives better so we can produce more, right? how dare someone enjoy something that may or may not hinder their ability to do something that doesn't harm anyone...

seriously, do you think we'd be atlantis mock 2 if suddenly all mind altering drugs were stripped from this planet? that one day all shrooms, pot, alcohol, tobacco and mainstream entertainment (TV can be a sort of addiction as well) vanished and we'd suddenly all wake up to our own brilliance and go forth to build a utopia for all man kind?

It's my body. i get to do whatever i want to it so long as it's not harming other people. if your hobbies or addictions bleed into the lives of others, then yes you need to reevaluate what you're doing. Otherwise, go ape shit, because no one can tell oyu what to do with your life. talents and skills are given to people to do with what they will, not what they're somehow obliged to contribute to the whole of humanity.

Yeah, it may be selfish and foolish, but who gives a fuck? it's my choice, not yours. just because you're good at math doesn't mean you should be forced to leave your job as an artist. just because you're good at biology doesn't mean you have to quit your career as a car salesman. your excuse for banning all drugs for the singular reason it hinders the potential of those who could contribute to humanity is flawed for a single reason: free will.