War on Drugs

I'm totally against the current "War on Drugs" happening in our country.



It's another cost-effective government thing they've messed up. Stop wasting the taxpayer's money on something that just causes so much crime and violence.



Decriminalizing medical marijuana is something I would strongly push for. You can't tell me one good reason why a patient suffering with a painful disease shouldn't be able to alleviate their pain.



It irks me to see so called conservatives in Washington as well as people that I know that are in full support of the War on Drugs. It goes against everything that the conservative beliefs are supposed to stand for. What happened to personal liberty, personal freedom, and the ability to do whatever you want as long as you harm no one else? Is that supposed to be the platform of the Republican Party? I thought the nanny state was supposed to be left to the liberal Democrats?



I tell conservatives/Republicans that I know that if you are for the War on Drugs then you have to be for gun control as well. It's no different. Limiting an object that could cause harm to you out of fear. Although you could say guns are more extreme because they could be used to hurt others very easily, while with drugs it's not as common.



I also ask them if they are for the prohibition of alcohol. Once again, it's no different. Alcohol is without a doubt more of a harmful drug than marijuana. How many drunk driving accidents happen each day? How many blown driving accidents are there every day?



I just don't understand the logic that goes through so-called "conservatives" who think this is a great idea. For a group that is supposed to be pro-liberty and personal freedom, they certainly don't instill their beliefs into their practices.

The government should not be forcing laws to protect you from yourself imo, especially when it costs so much money to try.

Marijuana is actually legal in Netherlands and drug rates are so much lower there. But other then that, I have no position in this, whatever the law says, I'm not smoking any of that stuff.

[size=5]"if the words 'life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness' don't include the right to experiment with your own consciousness, then the Declaration of Independence isn't worth the hemp it was written on"

|||Terence McKenna|||[/size]

I agree with you guys, it is a waste of time and money. They should just legalize marijuana, it would probably help out the economy some as well.

[quote name='The Captain' post='54079' date='Jun 17 2009, 09:59 PM']I'm totally against the current "War on Drugs" happening in our country.



It's another cost-effective government thing they've messed up. Stop wasting the taxpayer's money on something that just causes so much crime and violence.



Decriminalizing medical marijuana is something I would strongly push for. You can't tell me one good reason why a patient suffering with a painful disease shouldn't be able to alleviate their pain.



It irks me to see so called conservatives in Washington as well as people that I know that are in full support of the War on Drugs. It goes against everything that the conservative beliefs are supposed to stand for. What happened to personal liberty, personal freedom, and the ability to do whatever you want as long as you harm no one else? Is that supposed to be the platform of the Republican Party? I thought the nanny state was supposed to be left to the liberal Democrats?



I tell conservatives/Republicans that I know that if you are for the War on Drugs then you have to be for gun control as well. It's no different. Limiting an object that could cause harm to you out of fear. Although you could say guns are more extreme because they could be used to hurt others very easily, while with drugs it's not as common.



I also ask them if they are for the prohibition of alcohol. Once again, it's no different. Alcohol is without a doubt more of a harmful drug than marijuana. How many drunk driving accidents happen each day? How many blown driving accidents are there every day?



I just don't understand the logic that goes through so-called "conservatives" who think this is a great idea. For a group that is supposed to be pro-liberty and personal freedom, they certainly don't instill their beliefs into their practices.[/quote]



Can you at least learn what you are talking about before you post?



I love how when of the first things you mention is about medical use, which has nothing to do with the main objective on the "War on Drugs".

I would support modifying the War on Drugs.

Most drugs, including Marijuana, can be addictive. This does not mean that they do not have medical uses. But any drug used for medicinal purposes should be used only as directed by a doctor. It is also illegal to use someone else's prescription.

Just because a drug has medicinal use does not make it right to use it recreationally.

But I said I would support modifying the War. I do not believe non-violent drug offenders should just be thrown in jail. Instead, they should be allowed to take treatment for addiction.

Last year there was a proposition on the ballot in California which supported this idea. It also decriminalized small amounts of marijuana. I supported this proposition. Unfortunately, it did not pass.

I'm just going to copypasta something I posted on another forum. It should all apply:

If you'd allow me to speak a tad unrealistically as far as drug legalization goes, I'd say I advocate the legalization of all kinds of drugs. I just have the general idea that people deserve the right to total jurisdiction of their person and are free from coercion. If we've learned anything from this "war on drugs" it is that people like obviously try and exercise this right despite the health and legal hazards. They've also proven to succeed quite easily, I've known how to get my own cigarettes since the 5th grade and I've known where to easily find marijuana for only a year less... and then there are the meth labs that litter the place. Drugs are certainly a bad thing and I do not advocate their use, but that doesn't necessarily mean they should be illegal.



The most obvious and immediate benefit would be the (eventual) end of the large power of drug cartels (this doesn't mean that all drug-related crimes would stop, the scraping for money would undoubtedly happen... but hey, its happening when illegal anyway) and it would empty out prisons. I also think the removal of the illegal status would also remove the taboo and (for some) the appeal of the substances in question. I think if we were to look at it rationally and logically we could make for some REAL education in this field rather than the ridiculous, counter-intuitive fear-mongering we currently call drug education. The legalization of marijuana is especially productive and reasonable due to it's possible medicinal benefits.



Ultimately, I believe people have the right to do what they will to themselves... and also be responsible for their actions (i.e. prevention, healthcare, and rehabilitation would reside in the private sector. The taxpayer should NOT be responsible for the actions of those honestly foolish enough to do them. The key is education, not summoning the vision of the Boogie-Man around an evil DEATH STICK). The laws just aren't working to begin with... my area in particular has seen the consequences of these underground drug cartels. If we could institutionalize it, then there wouldn't be dead bodies found near my middle school because they were selling crack on someone else's shadowy turf. I also highly believe people know enough about drugs (and if my dreams of PROPER drug education would to be in place then I believe they'd know even more) then most people would boycott places that sold them. I know I personally would stay away from places that sell crack. I just don't think Government intervention is truly needed in this: the people who want it can very well get it but the general majority of the people who don't can easily do away with it themselves.

[quote name='Lil D-Ped' post='54252' date='Jun 17 2009, 08:41 PM']Marijuana is actually legal in Netherlands and drug rates are so much lower there. But other then that, I have no position in this, whatever the law says, I'm not smoking any of that stuff.[/quote]

Technically it's illegal but they just don't bother to enforce their laws. IIRC, Portugal tried making it completely legal, and their usage rates etc. have gone down.

[quote name='eastCoastNiner' post='54281' date='Jun 17 2009, 11:52 PM']Can you at least learn what you are talking about before you post?



I love how when of the first things you mention is about medical use, which has nothing to do with the main objective on the "War on Drugs".[/quote]



It's not the main objective, but it is certainly included in the debate.

I'm guessing marijuana will be either legalized or decriminalized in 4-6 years.



It really shouldn't have to take that long, but it most likely will. The government is burning money by trying to enforce all these preposterous laws of marijuana, and the economy certainly would benefit if this war came to an end.

No one I know supports the war on drugs. It's a waste of damn money, a waste of damn jail space, and a waste of time.



I recently saw an episode of Penn and Teller's Bullshit about the War on Drugs. I highly recommend this episode as it breaks down the War on Drugs and why drugs should be legal. And...since Penn and Teller would never lie on their show...

[quote name='SilverHaze' post='54253' date='Jun 17 2009, 11:41 PM'][size=5]"if the words 'life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness' don't include the right to experiment with your own consciousness, then the Declaration of Independence isn't worth the hemp it was written on"

|||Terence McKenna|||[/size][/quote]



No mystery why the original Declaration of Indepence disappeared, Jefferson and the boys freak'n smoked it up.



Really though, what war? You mean the one that has clogged our courts and is responsible for filling over half the federal prison system with non-violent drug offenders?



Legalize pot, tax it, end of. Those fat bureaucrats hypocrites up in Washington washing down OxyContin with three fingers of scotch each night need to take their equally fat heads from out their asses and stop this lie of a war. There is no war. All the money we've dumped on this pretend war hasn't made the smallest of dents. Game over man.



Let's start being progressive, stop playing politics (inhale!), get real and move on to more important issues that face this nation rather than busting our neighbors over such minor offenses as growing pot in their garden. Really, who gives a flying ****? Anyone with half a brain knows alcohol is far more damaging and potentionally deadly than pot will ever be. Lets start keeping cells open so the real crimminals like murders and rapists aren't released early because of overcrowding.



It's like America is stuck in the 1950's when it comes to this issue.

Before 1950s even, it was back in the 20s or so that the moral bandwagon got hitched up and taken for a ride. Some of the original reasons for making it illegal were absurd, and even ridiculously racist. Reading some of that nonsense/propaganda from 100 years ago is actually kind of hilarious. It was along the lines of "Blacks and Mexicans do this marijuana stuff, and it's incredibly dangerous, it can make you a cold-blooded murderer." lol... well, first of all white people today do the stuff just as much as blacks/Mexicans if not more, secondly I've never in my life heard of a violent stoner. They get hungry and go to sleep.

[quote name='lostfan' post='97889' date='Jul 30 2009, 10:05 PM']Before 1950s even, it was back in the 20s or so that the moral bandwagon got hitched up and taken for a ride. Some of the original reasons for making it illegal were absurd, and even ridiculously racist. Reading some of that nonsense/propaganda from 100 years ago is actually kind of hilarious. It was along the lines of "Blacks and Mexicans do this marijuana stuff, and it's incredibly dangerous, it can make you a cold-blooded murderer." lol... well, first of all white people today do the stuff just as much as blacks/Mexicans if not more, secondly I've never in my life heard of a violent stoner. They get hungry and go to sleep.[/quote]



Blame William Randolph Hearst too

And of course Federal Bureau of Narcotics head Harry J. Anslinger who created a lie to save his job.



Some quotes from the racist idiot...



“Reefer makes darkies think they’re as good as white men.”



“You smoke a joint and you’re likely to kill your brother.”



“Marijuana leads to pacifism and communist brainwashing”



“Marijuana is the most violence-causing drug in the history of mankind.” (<--- my personal favorite.)



“…the primary reason to outlaw marijuana is its effect on the degenerate races.”



“Marijuana is an addictive drug which produces in its users insanity, criminality, and death.”



“There are 100,000 total marijuana smokers in the US, and most are Negroes, Hispanics, Filipinos, and entertainers. Their Satanic music, jazz, and swing, result from marijuana use. This marijuana causes white women to seek sexual relations with Negroes, entertainers, and any others.”

[quote name='Scout' post='99336' date='Jul 31 2009, 08:36 PM']And of course Federal Bureau of Narcotics head Harry J. Anslinger who created a lie to save his job.



Some quotes from the racist idiot...



“Reefer makes darkies think they’re as good as white men.”



“You smoke a joint and you’re likely to kill your brother.”



“Marijuana leads to pacifism and communist brainwashing”



“Marijuana is the most violence-causing drug in the history of mankind.” (<--- my personal favorite.)



“…the primary reason to outlaw marijuana is its effect on the degenerate races.”



“Marijuana is an addictive drug which produces in its users insanity, criminality, and death.”



“There are 100,000 total marijuana smokers in the US, and most are Negroes, Hispanics, Filipinos, and entertainers. Their Satanic music, jazz, and swing, result from marijuana use. This marijuana causes white women to seek sexual relations with Negroes, entertainers, and any others.” [/quote]

Is that the guy that was trying to make connections between them and the Hashashin from the Crusades, because they apparently got stoned before going on their assassin missions? Which is also funny because that is a completely made-up myth, there is no connection except the coincidentally similar-sounding names, and honestly if you had highly disciplined cold-blooded assassins, the last thing you'd want them to do is get stoned before a mission.