Pot.

[Commissar MercZ]

Originally Posted by Mr. Pedantic

Hmm. That would imply, then, that a large number of people took marijuana purely because it was against the law...? Or else they haven't had to resort to crime to pay for more if they become addicted, and they can get treatment for it a lot easier...

Well the thing to remember is that most of these laws are put in place due to the problems associated with drugs- gang violence and overdose problems. When the government made moves to repeal these laws, some freaked out thinking the gangs would become more powerful and productivity would fall as a result of drug use.

However, the criminal activity- that is drug cartels fighting one another and bribing officials, has fallen. Worker productivity hasn't worsened, and in most cases it seems that cases where people have wrecked their lives because of drug use has fallen.

A good article that discusses this,

BBC - Mark Easton's UK: How Portugal treats drug addicts

Though I think this being said, the situation is more complicated than enacting or repealing laws, especially when one looks at the situation in the United States. I however think the US's current policy towards marjiuana is in serious need of rethinking. I don't use the stuff nor plan to ever, but I think it's ridiculous the way money and resources are used to combat it.

[Smitty025]

Originally Posted by Commissar MercZ

A good article that discusses this,

BBC - Mark Easton's UK: How Portugal treats drug addicts

Though I think this being said, the situation is more complicated than enacting or repealing laws, especially when one looks at the situation in the United States.

A very well written study on the situation in Portugal can be found here.

I'm curious though, what do you think makes the situation in the US more complicated than in Portugal?

[Pethegreat]

Originally Posted by Smitty025

A very well written study on the situation in Portugal can be found here.

I'm curious though, what do you think makes the situation in the US more complicated than in Portugal?

Religious zealots who would fight tooth and nail against a law similar to Portugal's

For most people half the fun of using drugs is doing something that is illegal and getting away with it. For most people in the US the fun of going out drinking looses it appeal once they turn 21 and can legally drink. Another interesting case I have heard has been with robotripping(chugging a bottle of cough syrup and tripping on it). Most people despise others for doing it since it is not a 'real drug' since you can buy it in the store.

Legalization or decriminalization would reduce the the rates of drug use because they take the fun out of breaking the law and going against authority.

[kquaker]

I think that all drugs should be legalized or make smoking illegal. If you have the choice to kill yourself with an addiction like smoking, you should have the choice to do so with other drugs that could potentially harm you if taken for long periods of time.

[Stratopwn3r]

Originally Posted by kquaker

I think that all drugs should be legalized or make smoking illegal. If you have the choice to kill yourself with an addiction like smoking, you should have the choice to do so with other drugs that could potentially harm you if taken for long periods of time.

Only, tobacco doesn't make people violent when they are under the influence

[kquaker]

Alchohol makes people violent and it's not illegal.

[Mihail]

problems associated with drugs- gang violence and overdose problems.

Except there are no gang wars over weed, nor overdose problems. The crimes that are caused by weed are caused because it's illegal thus drug trafficking becomes necessary

[kquaker]

Agreed. If it was legal that would really cut back on stupid shit that derives from it being illegal..

[Pethegreat]

Originally Posted by Stratopwn3r

Only, tobacco doesn't make people violent when they are under the influence

And stoners get violent? The only thing you smoke which could make you violent are crack cocaine, meth, and pcp.

[Smitty025]

Originally Posted by Pethegreat

Religious zealots who would fight tooth and nail against a law similar to Portugal's

Yes, but he specifically said that it was more complicated than enacting or repealing laws. I'm not saying he's wrong, I just want to know why he thinks changing the law simply isn't enough to reduce useage rates.