Should All Drugs Be Legalized?

by **Rebellious Fishermen** » Mon Oct 13, 2014 2:24 pm

I was in a conversation with two of my colleagues and they were both of the opinion that all drugs should be legalized. Their reasoning was that everyone has the right to choose how they want to live their lives, even if that choice leads to an unhealthy lifestyle. The government has no say in what people do or say to themselves.

My opinion was that some drugs, such as marijuana, was ok for legalization, but harder drugs like cocaine and heroin were not. My reasoning was that the more accessible hard drugs are, the more likely people will get into them and cause self-destruction. I feel that the government has an obligation to keep people out of unnecessary trouble if they can help it. I know I would not want my family members, friends, or future children having an easy access to hard drugs.

So my question to all of you is if all drugs should be legalized and why?

EDIT: Removed the "Some, but not all" because it muddles the question. Please revote if you can.

by **Chuporosa** » Mon Oct 13, 2014 2:24 pm

by **Donut section** » Mon Oct 13, 2014 2:24 pm

Yes

/thread

by **Transoxthraxia** » Mon Oct 13, 2014 2:25 pm

Chuporosa wrote:no.

.

by **Britanno** » Mon Oct 13, 2014 2:26 pm

by **Nasal Bondage** » Mon Oct 13, 2014 2:26 pm

Nooooo

I'm all for legalized marijuana and whatnot, but drugs that pose a health harm to others who are not using them should not be legal. Drugs that cause severe health issues also shouldn't be legal, because many of the people who use them would end up on the healthcare system, leeching money from the patients who really need it.

by **Tyrinth** » Mon Oct 13, 2014 2:27 pm

Yes. People have a right to do whatever they want to themselves. Should they be well-informed, there is no trouble with drugs.

The strongest arguments I hear generally involve what people who can't handle drugs do when on them, but I don't see that as a reason to ban the drugs themselves, rather, I see it as a reason to punish the problematic action itself. The consumption of the substance itself is not the issue.

It's not illegal to drink, it's illegal to assault someone when drunk. That's how it should be.

by **Lortehul** » Mon Oct 13, 2014 2:27 pm

I'm all for Marijuana legalization, but harder drugs should not be legalized.

by **Kalbana** » Mon Oct 13, 2014 2:29 pm

Lortehul wrote:I'm all for Marijuana legalization, but harder drugs should not be legalized.

this

by **Benuty** » Mon Oct 13, 2014 2:30 pm

If the harder drugs are to be legalized intensive regulation is needed. I suppose them getting it at home rather than funding the cartels is technically "better".

by **Prumia** » Mon Oct 13, 2014 2:35 pm

Rebellious Fishermen wrote:So my question to all of you is if all drugs should be legalized and why?

You would be hard pressed to find many who would say yes. Those who do are probably the ones who disagree with any sort of government interference in civil affairs. A lot of drugs are legal in almost if not every country - aspirin being a prominent example - but I think you mean recreational drugs and not the medical sort.

Marijuana has come up a few times already and is likely to come up again, so while this one may be debate-able I cannot see the argument for allowing drugs like cocaine and acid to be legalized. If someone out there agrees I would be more than happy to hear their reasoning, but I simply do not see it.

by **Rebellious Fishermen** » Mon Oct 13, 2014 2:48 pm

Prumia wrote:
Rebellious Fishermen wrote:So my question to all of you is if all drugs should be legalized and why?

You would be hard pressed to find many who would say yes. Those who do are probably the ones who disagree with any sort of government interference in civil affairs. A lot of drugs are legal in almost if not every country - aspirin being a prominent example - but I think you mean recreational drugs and not the medical sort.

Marijuana has come up a few times already and is likely to come up again, so while this one may be debate-able I cannot see the argument for allowing drugs like cocaine and acid to be legalized. If someone out there agrees I would be more than happy to hear their reasoning, but I simply do not see it.

Well I was quite shocked to find out two colleagues felt all drugs should be legal and wondered how many others felt this way.

by **Prumia** » Mon Oct 13, 2014 2:54 pm

Rebellious Fishermen wrote:Well I was quite shocked to find out two colleagues felt all drugs should be legal and wondered how many others felt this way.

I get that. It honestly never really occurred to me before so I understand the interest in the subject. Like I said, I would really enjoy hearing someone explain their reasoning behind this.

by **Olerand** » Mon Oct 13, 2014 2:55 pm

Yes and no. I support the legalization, regulation and taxation of soft drugs; and the decriminalization of the consumption of hard drugs.

So mostly no, I guess.

by **Kelinfort** » Mon Oct 13, 2014 2:55 pm

Yes. Make establishments that sell them have to carry a licence, punish those severely without it, legalise it for all above the age of 18, with vigorous advertisements against, prohibit advertising narcotics in a positive way. Offer rehabilitation for those who seek it. Produce all narcotics at private sector firms with vigorous regulation.

by **Murkwood** » Mon Oct 13, 2014 2:56 pm

The way I see it, we either need extremely harsh mandatory minimums for drug peddlers or we need to legalize them. What we have now isn't working. I lean towards harsher sentences, but anything is better than what we have now.

by **Stagnant Axon Terminal** » Mon Oct 13, 2014 3:02 pm

Not legalized, but users should not be arrested. Their addictions (or recreation, in the case of some drugs) need to be treated as a health concern, not a criminal one.

by **Digital Planets** » Mon Oct 13, 2014 3:03 pm

No, keep everything but meth illegal.

by **United States Kingdom** » Mon Oct 13, 2014 3:06 pm

Digital Planets wrote:No, keep everything but meth illegal.

Bad idea.
Anyways, no drugs should be legalized except marijuana, specifically medical marijuana.

by **WestRedMaple** » Mon Oct 13, 2014 3:18 pm

Yes. Government should not be in the business of controlling the bodies of the people.

by **Sovereign-Socialist Republics** » Mon Oct 13, 2014 3:20 pm

Yes, but isn't marijuana a gateway drug that leads to additions for others

by **Einsiev** » Mon Oct 13, 2014 3:20 pm

This is one of the stupidest things I've ever heard.

by **Burleson** » Mon Oct 13, 2014 3:21 pm

Hell no, that would just lead to more violent crime, traffic accidents, child abuse, unemployment, spread of STDS, etc.

by **The Fascist American Empire** » Mon Oct 13, 2014 3:21 pm

Maybe not all of them, but I wouldn't mind things like marijuana or maybe opium being legalized. Just so long as they're regulated and taxed on the heavier side.

by **Benuty** » Mon Oct 13, 2014 3:25 pm

Burleson wrote:Hell no, that would just lead to more violent crime, traffic accidents, child abuse, unemployment, spread of STDS, etc.

Because the War on Drugs, and Prohibition didn't?