I think you have a point to some extent, it would be like an adult sweet shop to some people. However if they were to concentrate on the more troublesome drugs such as heroin then I really don't think your average drug user is going to try it because it's available. Most people realise it's either disgusting or a very slippery slope. Even so we have a proper environment to help people who feel the need to take their life in that direction. At the moment we have nasty individuals who take great pleasure in guiding people down that road and it's not good.
Drug decriminalisation, your views.
- Thread starter trojan698
- Start date
I think you have a point to some extent, it would be like an adult sweet shop to some people. However if they were to concentrate on the more troublesome drugs such as heroin then I really don't think your average drug user is going to try it because it's available. Most people realise it's either disgusting or a very slippery slope. Even so we have a proper environment to help people who feel the need to take their life in that direction. At the moment we have nasty individuals who take great pleasure in guiding people down that road and it's not good.
Soldato
- Joined
- 18 Mar 2010
- Posts
- 4,188
actually yes you could - in fact some addicts are prescribed heroin at the moment.
Soldato
- Joined
- 18 Mar 2010
- Posts
- 4,188
which are not effective in moving people off heroin. basically methadone is crap.
I'd not decriminalise anything other than Cannabis. I would if I were the government in control, reduce the thc content of street weed/skunk quite considerably.
Frankly I don't see the problem in having a shop on the high street which sells hash/moderate strength weed.
People who smoke it certainly shouldn't become criminals at any rate.
Frankly I don't see the problem in having a shop on the high street which sells hash/moderate strength weed.
People who smoke it certainly shouldn't become criminals at any rate.
Soldato
- Joined
- 18 Mar 2010
- Posts
- 4,188
I am in favour of total legalisation of most drugs.
e.g i would be happy for heroin and cocaine to be sold in a controlled and regulated fashion similarly to how alcohol and cigarettes are sold currently.
There are strong practical reasons for this - along the lines of the fact that it is very apparent that prohibition doesnt work, it creates an unnecessary criminal underworld, leaves drug quality in the hands of criminals etc etc - i think that this has already been covered by many people in this thread.
By biggest issue with the way things are currently is one of more fundamental philosophy. I do not believe that the state should have any role in policing what an individual does, as long as it is not harming others.
e.g speeding - you are putting others at risk
snorting cocaine - putting yourself at risk = no one else business
(unless of course you snort cocaine and then go driving - but that is covered under existing driving under influence legislation!)
e.g i would be happy for heroin and cocaine to be sold in a controlled and regulated fashion similarly to how alcohol and cigarettes are sold currently.
There are strong practical reasons for this - along the lines of the fact that it is very apparent that prohibition doesnt work, it creates an unnecessary criminal underworld, leaves drug quality in the hands of criminals etc etc - i think that this has already been covered by many people in this thread.
By biggest issue with the way things are currently is one of more fundamental philosophy. I do not believe that the state should have any role in policing what an individual does, as long as it is not harming others.
e.g speeding - you are putting others at risk
snorting cocaine - putting yourself at risk = no one else business
(unless of course you snort cocaine and then go driving - but that is covered under existing driving under influence legislation!)
I would be OK with decriminalising cannabis resin and to even have it in the same kind of bracket as beer spirits and tobacco.
let the market decide to grow it and price it just like regular booze and smokes and then also tax the hell out of it.
The mythical culture surrounding it would soon be neutralised by the next few generations and in say 10 -20 years it would be just another thing like going to the pub.
Im not so sure about Skunk and all that, tbh ive seen plenty of people myself inc get really messed up after just a few Js or whatever, the equivalent would be necking half a bottle of vodka in 10 mins or something i guess, if smoking is not your thing.
Then that still leaves so many "recreational" drugs MDMA, LSD, Amphetamines, coke etc and the "nasty" ones which truly offer nothing but misery in the long term. never should they be legalised.
Even If its all legal something will only emerge to replace it,
let the market decide to grow it and price it just like regular booze and smokes and then also tax the hell out of it.
The mythical culture surrounding it would soon be neutralised by the next few generations and in say 10 -20 years it would be just another thing like going to the pub.
Im not so sure about Skunk and all that, tbh ive seen plenty of people myself inc get really messed up after just a few Js or whatever, the equivalent would be necking half a bottle of vodka in 10 mins or something i guess, if smoking is not your thing.
Then that still leaves so many "recreational" drugs MDMA, LSD, Amphetamines, coke etc and the "nasty" ones which truly offer nothing but misery in the long term. never should they be legalised.
Even If its all legal something will only emerge to replace it,
Ha. I have finished my coursework today and smoked. The criminal lay herein.
^ Efour2
"Im not so sure about Skunk and all that, tbh ive seen plenty of people myself inc get really messed up after just a few Js or whatever, the equivalent would be necking half a bottle of vodka in 10 mins or something i guess, if smoking is not your thing."
I think you'll find that the outcome of smoking too much, as I previously stated, is falling asleep. At worst a whitey, which is hardly going to kill you! Vodka on the other hand...!
In some way, perhaps because of the 'stoner' mindset, I see cannabis as a method of easing the drinking culture of Britain. Perhaps people will start going out to enjoy music: The best raves I have been to are the one where everyone can have a smoke! And I'm sure going to a gig or the pub would be much nicer without having to sneak off for a gentleman's Jiffy
^ Efour2
"Im not so sure about Skunk and all that, tbh ive seen plenty of people myself inc get really messed up after just a few Js or whatever, the equivalent would be necking half a bottle of vodka in 10 mins or something i guess, if smoking is not your thing."
I think you'll find that the outcome of smoking too much, as I previously stated, is falling asleep. At worst a whitey, which is hardly going to kill you! Vodka on the other hand...!
In some way, perhaps because of the 'stoner' mindset, I see cannabis as a method of easing the drinking culture of Britain. Perhaps people will start going out to enjoy music: The best raves I have been to are the one where everyone can have a smoke! And I'm sure going to a gig or the pub would be much nicer without having to sneak off for a gentleman's Jiffy
Last edited:
You missed out "I used to take soft drugs and don't think they should be legalised now or ever".
Soldato
- Joined
- 19 Oct 2002
- Posts
- 3,164
I honestly cannot see why drugs aren't legalised and taxed the way alcohol and cigarettes are. Governments are clearly are not bothered about alcohol or smoking related deaths else they would offer some kind of real treatment to abusers other than self help groups or sticking patches on your arm.
Do these people exist ?
Unless someone was a hardcore addict I don't think there are people as above.Do these people exist ?
Was going to say the same!
Soldato
- Joined
- 19 Oct 2002
- Posts
- 3,164
I know plenty of mates, mates of mates that use to take drugs back in the rave scene late 80's that have this opinion. They grew up basically.
And yet I would argue that they merely prescribed to the preordained lifestyle by which we are to live.
I, on the other hand, and everyone I have spoken to apart from those who either read tabloid newspapers or simply have never partaken due to irrational dislike, can see that different areas of society have indeed developed a counter-culture, and simply accept this.
I would bet that the same people who have a non-liberal opinion on such matters as drug usage also have a friend who is an alcoholic, or merely drinks alcohol and is accepted for it; therefore making themselves hypocrites.
There needs to be mass media coverage and civil disorder for something so radical to happen in England. Which, due to the nature of the issue... Is unlikely to happen!
Conversely, I have friends who have gone the other way.
Through our early years they abstained from pot, and now they have grown up, got a job, a wife, kids and a place to call their own they like nothing better than to roll up a J at the end of the day.
Through our early years they abstained from pot, and now they have grown up, got a job, a wife, kids and a place to call their own they like nothing better than to roll up a J at the end of the day.
Caporegime
- Joined
- 18 Oct 2002
- Posts
- 33,188
I don't take drugs, personally I've never liked the feeling of being "high" but thats me, more power to people who love it.
Drugs should be legalised, why? Because as with everything else we attach a stigma to, it just encourages more people to try it because it must be cool.
Pretend sex doesn't happen, end up with kids having sex and underage pregnancies, open and frank discussion about sex prevents kids getting into trouble. Criminalise drinking and you had the exact same amount of people drinking as when it was legal, just a MASSIVE organised crime side providing the booze AND it couldn't be taxed.
Legalising drugs, despite what retarded politicians think, won't increase drug usage dramatically, it will ONLY change the numbers of people who admit to taking them.
But what are the upsides, there would be no crime involvement in drug production or distribution, so you wipe out lots of gangs, deny an entire area for youths to move into, drug dealing and so on, it simply won't exist anymore. Why would you buy coke for, whatever £50 a gram, when you can get pharmaceutical grade stuff at £10 a gram from a verified source legally? You wouldn't is the answer.
You can produce the stuff safely, without ANY of the smuggling, losses, hiding/dealing costs it would be a 50th of the cost, which means the same addicts who mug, rob, steal and hurt people to get money to feed their addiction, could get a reasonable amount for next to no cash so simply no need for addicts to turn to crime either.
Theres less problems with the source, kids taking E and finding out its been cut with rat poison, because people can get drugs, you get less of the very dangerous "designer drugs" that people manufacture and release without any knowledge of their safety.
Legalising drugs would remove so much crime and violence from our society, anyone that argues against it is completely retarded.
The people who get into a bad situation with drugs, will be better off, people who don't take drugs will be better off, the only people worse off, are criminals who lose a source of income.
Even though weed is plenty cheap enough and all but a tiny handfull of people I've met in my life have tried it, not that many people smoke it regularly, this idea that everyone will just be high 24/7 if drugs are legalised is just plain stupid. Most people still wouldn't take drugs, a few more people would simply be more open and honest about trying it, so would be less likely to hide a gradual problem developing which means getting help to prevent a serious addiction before it gets bad is more likely.
This is all ignoring the fact that 100's millions gets spent on drugs a year, billions worldwide, and it could all be taxed and redirected into providing better healthcare and schools, rather than sitting in criminals pockets.
Drugs should be legalised, why? Because as with everything else we attach a stigma to, it just encourages more people to try it because it must be cool.
Pretend sex doesn't happen, end up with kids having sex and underage pregnancies, open and frank discussion about sex prevents kids getting into trouble. Criminalise drinking and you had the exact same amount of people drinking as when it was legal, just a MASSIVE organised crime side providing the booze AND it couldn't be taxed.
Legalising drugs, despite what retarded politicians think, won't increase drug usage dramatically, it will ONLY change the numbers of people who admit to taking them.
But what are the upsides, there would be no crime involvement in drug production or distribution, so you wipe out lots of gangs, deny an entire area for youths to move into, drug dealing and so on, it simply won't exist anymore. Why would you buy coke for, whatever £50 a gram, when you can get pharmaceutical grade stuff at £10 a gram from a verified source legally? You wouldn't is the answer.
You can produce the stuff safely, without ANY of the smuggling, losses, hiding/dealing costs it would be a 50th of the cost, which means the same addicts who mug, rob, steal and hurt people to get money to feed their addiction, could get a reasonable amount for next to no cash so simply no need for addicts to turn to crime either.
Theres less problems with the source, kids taking E and finding out its been cut with rat poison, because people can get drugs, you get less of the very dangerous "designer drugs" that people manufacture and release without any knowledge of their safety.
Legalising drugs would remove so much crime and violence from our society, anyone that argues against it is completely retarded.
The people who get into a bad situation with drugs, will be better off, people who don't take drugs will be better off, the only people worse off, are criminals who lose a source of income.
Even though weed is plenty cheap enough and all but a tiny handfull of people I've met in my life have tried it, not that many people smoke it regularly, this idea that everyone will just be high 24/7 if drugs are legalised is just plain stupid. Most people still wouldn't take drugs, a few more people would simply be more open and honest about trying it, so would be less likely to hide a gradual problem developing which means getting help to prevent a serious addiction before it gets bad is more likely.
This is all ignoring the fact that 100's millions gets spent on drugs a year, billions worldwide, and it could all be taxed and redirected into providing better healthcare and schools, rather than sitting in criminals pockets.
Associate
- Joined
- 4 Jul 2009
- Posts
- 715
- Location
- Edinburgh mostly
not really ever researched the topic as drugs are easily enough to come by without legalisation, but off the top of my head the question whether we should legalise or illegalise drugs boils down to whether we want more people on drugs (legalisation) or more crime* (illegalisation).
edit - *by crime i don't mean the crime of taking the drug itself, but i mean gang crime and other related crime.
edit - *by crime i don't mean the crime of taking the drug itself, but i mean gang crime and other related crime.
Last edited:
I fully support drug legalisation (as opposed to decriminialisation), because criminalisation doesn't stop consumption, just shifts all the benefits to criminals and makes the risks and problems worse.
Drug prohibition doesn't work, and to continue to perpetuate a failed policy due to public opinion is nearly as stupid as passing laws due to public opinion in the first place.
Drug prohibition doesn't work, and to continue to perpetuate a failed policy due to public opinion is nearly as stupid as passing laws due to public opinion in the first place.
I dont think all drugs should be made legal, but many clearly should. They need to do real proper research on these drugs and see what damage they actually do. At the moment you have drugs which are barely, if at all damaging like cannabis, MDMA, and recently added to the list; Mephedrone, and these are grouped with drugs that realy are damaging like heroin, its stupid.