War on Drugs: Officially a Failure.

[the chi]

No doubt, but perhaps that would bring down the demand? Onthe flip side tho, it would make the black market stuff that much more in demand.

What I really dont understand is why the govts keep throwing all this cash at a problem that isnt solvable.

[dubbs]

Originally Posted by The Chi

But look at it from the standpoint that if its easier to get and they dont have to skulk around and hide, wheres the "cool" factor in that?

Even if they legalized it, there would still be a black market for it, just like prescription drugs.

Where in the law books does it state that alcohol is illegal? It doesnt. My post clearly states several times "illegal drugs". I was clear on that.

However I do think people who take it to extremes, like alcoholics are idiots.

I know you were talking about only illegal drugs.. I guess I'm just of the mentality that weed shouldn't even be considered a drug, therefore i put it on the same level as alcohol.

Your other points are true, you'd probably lose some ppl due to it not being a counter culture anymore.. but you'd lose a lot less kids just the fact that you would have to be 18 or 21 to purchase it.

Also another point is why would you buy weed from a dealer who would charge you a lot more when you can buy weed from any store in 20 pre rolled joints for roughly the same price as tobacco? Not saying that's exactly how its going to go, but something like that.

Presciption drugs are different seeing as you need to have something wrong with you to get them so the demand is far greater than the supply. Legalized weed would be readily available.

And I agree.. People do take it to extremes. Forgetting about all the other "drugs" weed is impossible to overdose on, and if you smoke too much, you won't black out or get violent with your family like you can with "legal" alcohol.

[dubbs]

Originally Posted by goof2

It will never happen this way because there is too much money available for collection by the government. If there is a national change in drug policy it will be full circle. I'm guessing licenses will be required for growers/manufacturers and sellers plus hefty fed, state, and local taxes on the sale of the product itself.

What would be funny (and I think at least as likely as not) would be our various governments putting so many taxes and fees on drugs that there remains a viable black market for them simply based on price. Even in the cheap states taxes account for around 80% of the price of a pack of cigarettes. In more expensive areas taxes are over 90% of the price. At what rate do you think those same governments will tax a dime bag of weed? How about a gram of coke? I think prices will be insanely high.

Not sure on the price being really high... The only reason it's very high right now is because of how risky it is to provide it to people.

[goof2]

Originally Posted by The Chi

But look at it from the standpoint that if its easier to get and they dont have to skulk around and hide, wheres the "cool" factor in that?

Even if they legalized it, there would still be a black market for it, just like prescription drugs.

Where in the law books does it state that alcohol is illegal? It doesnt. My post clearly states several times "illegal drugs". I was clear on that.

However I do think people who take it to extremes, like alcoholics are idiots.

I don't know about all drug users but the ones I know couldn't care less about any "cool" factor. They use them to get fucked up.

[the chi]

Ah, see we do understand each other.

Weed is a tough one. It's illegal, but from what I understand, its not that much different than tobacco. (I dont know, I've never touched a single illegal drug.)

I'm anti smoking, but as long as you keep it away from me I dont care what you do with it. (Except I still dont want to pay for some lung cancer ridden person who doesnt have health insurance.) Would weed cause cancer I wonder?

So, if we were to legalize weed, Im all for it as it would definitely bring some much needed revenue to this piss poor govt and since (from what I understand) its not that different than smoking marlboros, what would it hurt? Doesnt research show that alcohol has more effects on the body than weed in regards to functioning?

[goof2]

Originally Posted by dubbs

Not sure on the price being really high... The only reason it's very high right now is because of how risky it is to provide it to people.

The government will have a monopoly on the only legal distribution channel. They will also say that the tax/fee money will be required to pay for all the rehabilitation, medical expenses, and oversight of the product that will be required. The government won't actually spend that money on those things, but those things will be used for justification. You think drugs are expensive now? Wait until the government gets involved.

[the chi]

Originally Posted by goof2

The government will have a monopoly on the only legal distribution channel. They will also say that the tax/fee money will be required to pay for all the rehabilitation, medical expenses, and oversight of the product that will be required. The government won't actually spend that money on those things, but those things will be used for justification. You think drugs are expensive now? Wait until the government gets involved.

I agree 100%, but would that be a bad thing?

[dubbs]

Originally Posted by The Chi

Ah, see we do understand each other.

Weed is a tough one. It's illegal, but from what I understand, its not that much different than tobacco. (I dont know, I've never touched a single illegal drug.)

I'm anti smoking, but as long as you keep it away from me I dont care what you do with it. (Except I still dont want to pay for some lung cancer ridden person who doesnt have health insurance.) Would weed cause cancer I wonder?

So, if we were to legalize weed, Im all for it as it would definitely bring some much needed revenue to this piss poor govt and since (from what I understand) its not that different than smoking marlboros, what would it hurt? Doesnt research show that alcohol has more effects on the body than weed in regards to functioning?

Well the difference between weed and tobacco is weed is pure and tobacco has 3000+ chemicals added to it to make it smoother to pull. I don't really smoke cigarettes anymore and there are ways to "smoke" weed by vaporizing it that minimizes most of the harm..

Burning any plant matter, no matter what it is, could cause cancer. Vaporizing just cooks the THC and other cannabinoids and doesn't burn the plant.

And I agree, I think it would solve a lot of budgetary issues..

[dubbs]

Originally Posted by goof2

The government will have a monopoly on the only legal distribution channel. They will also say that the tax/fee money will be required to pay for all the rehabilitation, medical expenses, and oversight of the product that will be required. The government won't actually spend that money on those things, but those things will be used for justification. You think drugs are expensive now? Wait until the government gets involved.

Tobacco isn't that expensive (in most areas) and neither is alcohol.. Why would weed be so much different?

[the chi]

Ironically enough...headline back in FL...

87 Year Old Woman Busted Selling Crack

http://www.nwfdailynews.com/news/arr...ack-woman.html