It’s Time: How the US is Falling Behind on Drugs

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I’ve mentioned, briefly, my attitudes toward the War on Drugs in the United States and the world at large. But I thought it was time for a slightly expansive commentary.

The only reasonable recourse, regarding the use of currently illegal mind altering substances in this country, is the full legalization and regulation of all of these substances. Portugal is already moving towards proving this as fact (read the Cato Institute study here). The Swiss Heroin Prescription Trial, and it’s permanent implementation last year, have also shown the truth. You can address drug usage intelligently. “The Noble Experiment” of the US, in the 20’s-30’s proved something else. You not eliminate addiction through prohibition.

If anyone can show me any verifiable facts that these points are wrong, I’ll gladly take a peek. But you better do your homework, and not throw my some BS link with no corroboration. I don’t believe everything I read.

Now, regarding cannabis specifically; I believe it is way past time to correct the mistakes of the past, which led to cannabis being demonized to begin with. I’m not going to write them all out. There are plenty of sources for this online. But I have included two resources below. One is a 3 part podcast, The Marijuana Conspiracy, regarding the history of the initial move against marijuana. It also gives you a very thorough breakdown of the part that industrial hemp has played in our society, and it’s potential for our future. The second is far more entertaining, and also gives some additional information. Grass focuses more on the policies that created the War on Drugs, and the costs and effects of that war. It also gives you a lot more information on Mr. Harry Anslinger, the nations first drug czar, and a man who many of the aforementioned mistakes can be attributed to.

The US is meant to lead the world in innovative political/legal ideas. I’m not saying it has lately, but it’s supposed to. It was our attitude towards drugs which lead to the worldwide prohibition movement, and now we’re behind in correcting the error. It’s time for the US to step up with realistic approaches. No one expects a giant “Drugs are Legal” day here. We’re talking about programs that explore ways to move toward legalization, and provide further corroboration of the benefits. There are a lot of people still asking if it can work. My charge to the government is; prove it can, or prove it can’t, but stop putting your fingers in your ears and ignoring what the rest of the world is doing. There’s enough early evidence for us to start compiling our own programs. Hell, somebody dust off the Laguardia Report at least!

Finally, I’d like to point out one thing. My personal view of what should be this nations drug policy, is completely separate from my feelings on drugs in general. I have never used a single illegal substance other than cannabis. I have had friends and family who have real drug histories, and I will do everything in my power to steer my son from any such fate. I do not think that all drugs should be freely used, but that doesn’t mean I’m stupid enough to be in favor of making them impossible to acquire legally. That direction leads to nothing but pain and eroding of our society through criminalizing a personal behavior.

The Marijuana Conspiracy Pt1

• Ok, I'm so ticked off right now
• The Daily Show saves the day
• I want to live in a "Filthy World"
• My (Not Entirely Biological) Ticking Clock
• Since When Did “Anti-War=Anti-American”?

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