Some Clarity on the War on Drugs

[Ad Orientem]

http://youtu.be/W8yYJ_oV6xk

and...

http://youtu.be/5PFr7hfx0mo

[Pointedstick]

Great videos. That host lady, though. Man. Classic case of trying to imply public support for your personal bias by wondering out loud if "some people" might disagree.

[Pointedstick]

Celebrity doctor Sanjay Gupta agrees: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/08/0 ... 25380.html

I mistakenly believed the Drug Enforcement Agency listed marijuana as a schedule 1 substance because of sound scientific proof. Surely, they must have quality reasoning as to why marijuana is in the category of the most dangerous drugs that have "no accepted medicinal use and a high potential for abuse."

They didn't have the science to support that claim, and I now know that when it comes to marijuana neither of those things are true. It doesn't have a high potential for abuse, and there are very legitimate medical applications. In fact, sometimes marijuana is the only thing that works.

[Libertarian666]

Celebrity doctor Sanjay Gupta agrees: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/08/0 ... 25380.html

I mistakenly believed the Drug Enforcement Agency listed marijuana as a schedule 1 substance because of sound scientific proof. Surely, they must have quality reasoning as to why marijuana is in the category of the most dangerous drugs that have "no accepted medicinal use and a high potential for abuse."

They didn't have the science to support that claim, and I now know that when it comes to marijuana neither of those things are true. It doesn't have a high potential for abuse, and there are very legitimate medical applications. In fact, sometimes marijuana is the only thing that works.

Their actual reasoning is: if weed were legal, the DEA would pretty much be out of business.

[Jan Van]

Their actual reasoning is: if weed were legal, the DEA would pretty much be out of business.

And how many of the current prison population is in there for weed-related issues?

[Pointedstick]

The private prison industry would certainly take a hit, too. Not to mention local law enforcement and prosecutors flush with federal cash.

[MediumTex]

The private prison industry would certainly take a hit, too. Not to mention local law enforcement and prosecutors flush with federal cash.

Judges
Prosecutors
Defense Attorneys
Probation Officers
Bailbond Companies
Prison Guards
Prison Contractors
Police Officers

It's sort like the military-industrial complex, except rather than bombs, it's bongs.

[Libertarian666]

The private prison industry would certainly take a hit, too. Not to mention local law enforcement and prosecutors flush with federal cash.

Judges
Prosecutors
Defense Attorneys
Probation Officers
Bailbond Companies
Prison Guards
Prison Contractors
Police Officers

It's sort like the military-industrial complex, except rather than bombs, it's bongs jails.

Fixed it for you. 

[RuralEngineer]

I think their time is running out. People are getting fed up and I think I'll see legalization in the next 10 years.

[Pointedstick]

I agree, RE. The big question in my mind is whether we're going to have real, actual federal legalization like we did for alcohol after prohibition, or license-and-regulate-it-to-death "legalization".

[Jan Van]

Dr. Sanjay Gupta: Why I changed my mind on weed

I mistakenly believed the Drug Enforcement Agency listed marijuana as a schedule 1 substance because of sound scientific proof. Surely, they must have quality reasoning as to why marijuana is in the category of the most dangerous drugs that have "no accepted medicinal use and a high potential for abuse.
They didn't have the science to support that claim, and I now know that when it comes to marijuana neither of those things are true. It doesn't have a high potential for abuse, and there are very legitimate medical applications.

Nice to see people change their mind after actually looking into the subject...

[Ad Orientem]

I agree, RE. The big question in my mind is whether we're going to have real, actual federal legalization like we did for alcohol after prohibition, or license-and-regulate-it-to-death "legalization".

For the harder drugs I'd like it treated the way we treat smoking. Regulate who can sell and buy it (no one under 18). And bar its use in pubic and quasi public environments along with commercial advertising. Then use some of the massive saved money on education and drug treatment programs.

[RuralEngineer]

As long as I'm not responsible in any way, shape, or form for people's poor decisions and the negative consequences are localized to that individual, go nuts.