So, should drugs be legalised?

[Mario149]

Given that once again it is in the news, what do people think? Since PH is traditionally quite right wing, I'm expecting a "no" by and large, but I was wondering if we might get a surprise answer?

FWIW, I'm reasonably to the right on many things, but I do believe drugs (everything from cannabis to cocaine pretty much) should be legalised and subject to tax/control in a similar way to alcohol and tobacco. Same old argument: banning something never stopped people using it, and it would take money out of criminals hands....might even help reduce the deficit Plus, I give more credence to the police and docs' opinions on the subject than to politicians' opinions

[Jasandjules]

Yes.

To my mind it is a very simple position - who am I to tell an adult of "sound" mind what they can and can not put in their body if they so choose.

[itsnotarace]

y

[Plotloss]

PH is right wing but it's also largely libertarian so I'd expect the overwhelming response to be largely supportive of legalisation.

[Rude-boy]

Yes from me, but in a controlled and enlightened way.

There will be a few Victors along to say 'spot the users' and 'we will all die in a heep of narcotic induced robbery, buggery and thuggery'. Personally I think that by making the supply of the 'mainstream' drugs controlled it will cut down massively on the crime surrounding them. Not just the morons who nick Declan's Playstation for a wrap, but the bigger fish higher up the food chain will suffer far more than having a few acres of poppies burnt.

The money we have wasted on 'The War on Drugs' could have funded free drugs for the entire population and the medical help some may have needed as a result many times over.

Other than the vested interests in the early C20th who were behind the criminalisation of drugs and those who have made their fortune in the illegal trade of them I see no single person who has benefited from this.

It is as stupid to me as making alcohol illegal.

[Mario149]

Plotloss said:

PH is right wing but it's also largely libertarian so I'd expect the overwhelming response to be largely supportive of legalisation.

good point

[rudecherub]

They are already.

Nicotine, milligram per milligram many times more addictive than Heroin. Legal

Alcohol, cause of most damage and antisocial behaviour in the UK. Legal

The question is should we repeal the prohibition of once legal drugs, like heroin and marijuana that my great Grandma was free to buy down the Chemist?

or does society have the right to tell adults what to do with their own bodies?

[Fittster]

Should they be legal and tax free?

[Plotloss]

Fittster said:

Should they be legal and tax free?

On what basis could they be?

They'd have to succumb to some duty or VAT or both, like fags and booze do.

[Tsippy]

I don't do drugs myself, however the way I see it is this :-

If drugs are legalised, they can be produced safely and distritbuted via legal means which cuts out the criminal element thus depriving them of a livelihood. The people buying the drugs will do so knowing the product is safe, it'll increase government revenue and create another sector for jobs.

[skoff]

I think the Govt should start listening to the ACMD a bit more... They have done the research and seem to have a common sense approach to this subject, I don't see the point in having a think tank of experts if you just ignore what they say for political reasons.

[AndrewW-G]

Cannabis yes, as there seem to be a large number of people who simply grow their own, with businesses popping up all over the country supplying the equipment (only found this out after asking a friend what the "hydroponics warehouse" next to the go kart track in warrington sold!). . . . . . .may as well legalise, tax and licence in the same way as we already do with alcohol.

Everything that requires a chemistry set to make, should be prescription only, which would no doubt reduce some drug related crime

[dandarez]

rudecherub said:

... does society have the right to tell adults what to do with their own bodies?

I don't know, probably not.

But looking at it from the other side, would you expect society to help/pay for treatment when/if your body goes tits up because of what 'you' did to your own body?

[Corsair7]

No.

Most drugs are habit forming and addictive. Gives the 'retailer' an unfair advantage over the customer.

You start buying legal drugs from the 'government source' because you want a bit of fun. You end up becoming addicted, and no longer buy 'for recreational use' but becauase you have too. You end up giving a substantial ammount of your income to the 'government supplier', to the extent that they probably have a direct debit to clear your bank account. Government control of the masses ensues because they can withhold your supply at any time to keep you in line.#

Big Brother and Brave New World really. Do you want that level of governemtn control over your life?

[Plotloss]

Corsair7 said:

No.

Most drugs are habit forming and addictive. Gives the 'retailer' an unfair advantage over the customer.

You start buying legal drugs from the 'government source' because you want a bit of fun. You end up becoming addicted, and no longer buy 'for recreational use' but becauase you have too. You end up giving a substantial ammount of your income to the 'government supplier', to the extent that they probably have a direct debit to clear your bank account. Government control of the masses ensues because they can withhold your supply at any time to keep you in line.#

Big Brother and Brave New World really. Do you want that level of governemtn control over your life?

So, that being the case, could you explain why both fags and booze, both of which are habit forming, should remain legal?

[Silverbullet767]

Why not, I'm out my t*ts 24/7 anyway

[rudecherub]

dandarez said:

rudecherub said:

... does society have the right to tell adults what to do with their own bodies?

I don't know, probably not.

But looking at it from the other side, would you expect society to help/pay for treatment when/if your body goes tits up because of what 'you' did to your own body?

Yes but only if taxes were levied to recoup the cost, as is the case with fags n' booze - and up to a point, as is the case, where medical treatment can be withheld if the sick refuse to modify their behaviour.

Also tax revenue would be used to pay Customns and Excise to further Police the legal sale of drugs, instead of us the taxpayer paying the BIB to Police the prohibited trade at great cost with no benefit.

Also to fund education as to the personal cost choosing a given drug at a given rate / concentration will do, much in the same way we educate with fags n' booze.

[Uhura fighter]

[ShadownINja]

rudecherub said:

or does society have the right to tell adults what to do with their own bodies?

Nope.



Pistonheads - likes drug addicts, hates food addicts.

Edited by ShadownINja on Tuesday 17th August 15:11

[Fittster]

Plotloss said:

Fittster said:

Should they be legal and tax free?

On what basis could they be?

They'd have to succumb to some duty or VAT or both, like fags and booze do.

They don't have to be taxed, the fact the government can impose a tax doesn't mean it should.

There's no evidence to say the states cost would go up if drugs were legalised so why should they attempt to collect more revenue?