Inb4 420 #YOLO Smoke w33d erry day. I am not only talking about marijuana.
Should drugs be legalized ? Do the positives outweigh the negatives? Should it be your own choice to decide what you put in your body ?
For me, drugs should be legalized.
[video=youtube;2OP8JFKMTcQ]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2OP8JFKMTcQ[/video]
For me, they dont only have recreational value. I see potential in the use of psychedelics, marijuana and stimulants as medicine.
I agree, there is potential use in the medical field with marijuana, for example, cancer patients. But I'm not so sure about the other drugs like cocaine. Isn't the only problem is that they are just really addictive?
in my opinion nobody but you should have any say in what you do with your own body. if you feel like shooting up heroin every day until you die you have the right to do that.
if you're addicted to something, it interferes with your every day life and you feel that you need help there are rehab clinics for that sort of thing
Decriminalise possessing it, but keep the sale of it illegal, I don't like the idea of companies being able to exploit highly addictive substances.
I believe adults, in a truly free society, must be able to consume whatever they want.
I have many problems with the "but they're too dangerous" argument, while other drugs (take caffeine, alcohol and tobacco) are legal. Where do you draw the line? if we're going to say "legalise drugs that are less harmful than alcohol and tobacco" we'll be seeing quite a few legalised (weed and most psychedelics for starters). But why do we draw the line at alcohol and tobacco? it's way to arbitrary.
Basicly, in my mind, you either need to completely legalise them, or completely ban them, until someone can formulate a definitive line, based on logic and reason.
[b]Edit:[/b]
I'm also very much against the idea that some drugs can't either be used in medical research and that some drugs can't be prescribed by a doctor
[QUOTE=carcarcargo;36913062]Decriminalise possessing it, but keep the sale of it illegal, I don't like the idea of companies being able to exploit highly addictive substances.[/QUOTE]
could solve that by only the government being able to legally sell it in dispensaries. saves having to go through some random tom dick and harry for your stuff, seeing as they could cut it with lord knows what
[QUOTE=ExplosiveCheese;36913024]I agree, there is potential use in the medical field with marijuana, for example, cancer patients. But I'm not so sure about the other drugs like cocaine. Isn't the only problem is that they are just really addictive?[/QUOTE]
Ecstasy has potential in treating depressed patients because it allows them to open up more in therapy and also to get people like couples open more up and solve their problems. For example a couple, one had cancer and the other one was going to live and they had (legal) sessions where they both took ecstasy and said that it helped them greatly accept the others death and move on. She said that she might not have been able to handle her partners death if it weren't for those sessions.
DMT has been used to get people to accept death more and explore their spiritual side. Been researches with cancer patients and people who are going to die soon and they have all said it has helped them greatly to see the other side.
Saw both of those in a documentary so I can't provide sources for those exact stories but it's well known. See below.
[quote]Ecstasy resurfaced in the 1980s as a tool in experimental psychotherapy, particularly in resolving relationship and marital difficulties, before the drug was declared illegal in the USA following an increase in recreational use.[/quote]
[url]http://www.idmu.co.uk/therapeutic-uses-of-ecstasy.htm[/url]
[quote]Supporters of legalized MDMA therapy believe it can be applied in couples counseling and in treatment for depression, body-image disorders, chronic pain management, and end-of-life anxiety. But many advocates think its best chance at mainstream acceptance is as a tool for people with PTSD. Later this year, Michael Mithoefer, MD, a psychiatrist in Charleston, South Carolina, will publish the long-term follow-up results of the small pilot study that Sarah first heard about six years ago. The outcome: Seventeen of 20 subjects no longer met the diagnostic criteria for PTSD after just two or three sessions of MDMA-aided therapy led by Mithoefer and his wife, Ann, a psychiatric nurse.[/quote]
[url]http://healthland.time.com/2011/02/18/ecstasy-as-therapy-have-some-of-its-negative-effects-been-overblown/[/url]
[quote]Scientists in the United States and other countries are exploring the use of hallucinogens such as DMT to treat drug and alcohol addiction. It is still too early, however, to say whether this unusual treatment approach works. For example, scientists at the Orenda Institute in Baltimore are examining LSD as a possible treatment for heroin, opium, and alcohol addiction. Researchers at the University of Miami are studying the psychedelic drug ibogaine as a treatment for cocaine addiction. Other scientists are exploring the use of hallucinogenic drugs to help ease the pain of cancer patients.[/quote]
[url]http://ecstasy.com.ua/dimethyltryptamine-dmt/dimethyltryptamine-dmt-therapeutic-use[/url]
I recommend watching [url=http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1340425/]The Spirit Molecule[/url] for a great documentary on DMT. Also there are tons of good ones about drugs. Such as this one [url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00xckv8]about ecstasy[/url].
My personal opinion is that every drug should be decriminalized for multiple reasons. Mainly because I cannot see how forcing someone into a cell with violence is going to make them stop using drugs. [url=http://www.businessinsider.com/portugal-drug-policy-decriminalization-works-2012-7#ixzz20tQHddrh]There are other ways[/url]. Then secondly because I believe that as an adult individual you should have 100% control of your own body and that you should be able to be responsible for what substances you decide to put into it, as long as it doesn't harm others.
Yes I do, however if it were to happen you should be educated about each drug you are thinking of buying
[QUOTE=ExplosiveCheese;36913024]I agree, there is potential use in the medical field with marijuana, for example, cancer patients. But I'm not so sure about the other drugs like cocaine. Isn't the only problem is that they are just really addictive?[/QUOTE]
Cocaine is currently a prescription medication for eye and nasal surgeries due to it's powerful topical anesthetic effects. I guarantee you that next time you go to your optometrist, they will have a bottle of cocaine somewhere in their office, probably under lock and key.
With that being said, I am strongly in favor for complete legalization for EVERY drug, however regulation is key. Beside regulation, there needs to be detox programs all over the place. Even so, I may not agree or condone the usage of many of these "hard" drugs, I do feel that everyone should be able to decide for themselves. Strong regulations will address issues such as public intoxication for harder drugs. This way you won't have Joe Schmuck running around on PCP and bath salts eating everyone and their dog.
Currently people do drugs and get hooked. Many want to stop but are afraid to seek help because their habits illegal. They rather stay hooked than the off chance of seeking help, but going to jail or mental institution for extreme periods of time which is a common occurrence.
Portugal has made every drug legal and put detox and educational programs into place, and in doing so the amount of habitual drug users has strongly declined.
Studies have been shown that when something is off limits, it is more coveted, therefor more sought after. They have shown that the usage in MJ, among other drugs among teenagers is significantly less in Portugal than it is here.
Yes it would be better to let the government squeeze a little something out of all the drug money that goes around everywhere due to people using drugs.
The main problem with drugs aren't the addicts themselves, but the whole black market and crime network that inevitably forms around any profitable illegal product, with tons of collateral effects.
From a pragmatic point of view, drugs should be legal even before bringing individual liberties to the table. It's the lesser evil if you want among the two choices, and the one with less social loss.
Hell, just take a look at the prohibition era to see what I mean: once you take out the profits illegal trafficking is pointless, and crime dies with it.
Dunno if it should be or not. If weed is legalized it will become the new cigarette, and add all the kinds of chemicals and shit that are in them, while weed right now is pure and no things added.
[QUOTE=tristanguy2;36921039]Dunno if it should be or not. If weed is legalized it will become the new cigarette, and add all the kinds of chemicals and shit that are in them, while weed right now is pure and no things added.[/QUOTE]
Don't buy industrial weed then, plant your own. Let people choose.
I don't like the idea that anyone has access to drugs mainly because that person then has the ability to put it anywhere they want.
I don't want drugs to be slipped into my food.
[QUOTE=Mobon1;36921558]I don't like the idea that anyone has access to drugs mainly because that person then has the ability to put it anywhere they want.
I don't want drugs to be slipped into my food.[/QUOTE]
What's stopping someone from doing that now?
[QUOTE=tristanguy2;36921039]Dunno if it should be or not. If weed is legalized it will become the new cigarette, and add all the kinds of chemicals and shit that are in them, while weed right now is pure and no things added.[/QUOTE]
You realise they don't add poisonous things to tobacco, don't you?
They do their best to stop people dying because dead customers can't buy cigarettes. It's in their best interest.
Most of these things are naturally occurring or from pesticides put on the crops to stop the bugs eating them
[QUOTE=carcarcargo;36913062]Decriminalise possessing it, but keep the sale of it illegal, I don't like the idea of companies being able to exploit highly addictive substances.[/QUOTE]
Agreed, stop putting people in jail for possessing it, but keep the sale of it for non-medical uses (or just the sale in general in the case of drugs without medical value) illegal.
I just don't get the point of using them, you get a temporary high followed by a lifetime of serious medical problems.
Maybe legalize the production of marijuana, but keep certain substances illegal i.e meth, crack, coke, opium, etc. Also, keep sales illegal, and maybe create certain designated areas for smoking weed in public.
[QUOTE=download;36913163]I believe adults, in a truly free society, must be able to consume whatever they want.[/QUOTE]
I believe that too, but a lot of people can hardly qualify as "adults" even after turning 21.
[QUOTE=Moustacheman;36922535]Maybe legalize the production of marijuana, but keep certain substances illegal i.e meth, crack, coke, opium, etc. Also, keep sales illegal, and maybe create certain designated areas for smoking weed in public.[/QUOTE]
If you've ever taken a walk down the bad part of town you'll see prohibition does nothing to stop people from getting hard drugs like crack cocaine, heroin or methamphetamine, it makes it worse. A new approach needs to be taken to these substances, which is, in my opinion, education, not illegalisation.
[QUOTE=download;36922225]You realise they don't add poisonous things to tobacco, don't you?
They do their best to stop people dying because dead customers can't buy cigarettes. It's in their best interest.
Most of these things are naturally occurring or from pesticides put on the crops to stop the bugs eating them[/QUOTE]
No opinion on the matter, but I thought I'd share a my 2 cents on this bit of misinformation.
While cigarette companies may not add a lot of chemicals to their product for obvious reasons, the combustion of the ingredients themselves produces countless toxic chemicals.
Chemicals like acetone and benzene are some of the worse matter produced during the combustion, while chemicals like ammonia are purposely added to the product to affect the bodily response to the product.
Sorry folks, felt the need to clear that up. Carry on.
I don't like how the government should regulate drugs. For example, here in The Netherlands, the so called "weed-pass" was introduced, to reduce the problems drugs-tourists cause. The problem is thoug, to get such pass you need to be 1) Dutch (Which isnt a problem for me) 2) Ask for such pass at the government. The fact you requested such pass will end u in your documents, and you will get all sorts of problems when applying for new jobs etc. Imagine that happening to other drugs too. Besides, alcohol should cause more problems when combined with work than for example, weed. Yet it won't end up in your documents if you buy a beer. Fucking logic.
I guess the most applicable system would be some sort of tweaked system they use in Portugal. Like legal possession. In addition, the "illegal" drug list should be resorted in such way, that only the most harmful will be on it. Drugs like cocaine, (meth)amphetamine, heroine, some potent opiates and prescription drugs (Medicines with potential of abuse). Still, possession of these drugs should be legal, only selling them/trafficking won't. I mean, imagine to be able to buy these drugs online without worrying about customs opening your package.
my two cents, a long post but if you think most drugs should remain illegal, give it a read
[url]http://www.facepunch.com/showthread.php?t=1170194&p=35136083&viewfull=1#post35136083[/url]
A man on drugs can easily go on a killing spree, commit other abnormal acts, et cetera.
No.
[QUOTE=sonerin;36931878]A man on drugs can easily go on a killing spree, commit other abnormal acts, et cetera.
No.[/QUOTE]
so can a normal person
there's literally nothing stopping me from buying a gun and going on a shooting spree. I've never touched a single drug in my life, not ever cigarettes.
psychological disorders lead to criminals, not drugs. illegalization of drugs is forced criminalization.
Yep.
Even heroin
(the main causes of death from heroin are contaminated product, unknown strength leading to overdosage, dirty paraphenalia i.e. needles, and being addicted but not being able to get any so resorting to dangerous steps like krokadil[extreme case] or property theft and robbery).
The black market, it's unregulated nature, and unreliable quality is the cause of death. Not the drug.
If someone has a steady supply of dosages of heroin and uses them correctly they can hold down a day job and there is minimal damage to their health.
[QUOTE=sonerin;36931878]A man on drugs can easily go on a killing spree, commit other abnormal acts, et cetera.
No.[/QUOTE]
And a drunk dude can't?
I'm fairly certain more people died due to drunk driving than from getting killed by someone on drugs.
[QUOTE=Scar;36931963]And a drunk dude can't?
I'm fairly certain more people died due to drunk driving than from getting killed by someone on drugs.[/QUOTE]
Alcoholic fatalities are more common than firearm fatalities. In 2009, 22,000 people were injured or killed relating to drunk driving accidents. 9000 people were injured or killed by firearms, both premeditated and accidental.
That alone should raise some eyebrows.
[QUOTE=sonerin;36931878]A man on drugs can easily go on a killing spree, commit other abnormal acts, et cetera.
No.[/QUOTE]
Like that doesn't happen now. Besides, society causes far more killing spree's than the drugs it offers.
[QUOTE=polarbear.;36931541]my two cents, a long post but if you think most drugs should remain illegal, give it a read
[url]http://www.facepunch.com/showthread.php?t=1170194&p=35136083&viewfull=1#post35136083[/url][/QUOTE]
That was a nice read. Although I disagree with you on some things.
First of all, if you don't want your drugs cut, make/grow it yourself. Besides, I have seen cocaine quality far worse, its the best in years. Some goes for MDMA and amphetamine. If you are worried about something cut with it that is worse for you then the drug itself [B]go fucking test it[/B] Its not that hard. They will tell you what's in it. For free. Or for a small fee, like it matters.
And yes, alcohol is bad. My body is more grateful to me for taking amphetamines or MDMA than alcohol. But that doesn't alcohol the shittiest legal drug ever. Or makes weed the holy grail. Moderation is the key, and whilst weed doesnt have the physical impact of abuse that alcohol or other drugs have, the impact on society is still pretty big. In a negative way. One small beer is better for you to get shitfucking wasted on weed for everyday. Thats were I disagree again, how are you going to compare completely different drugs?
You can't just compare amphetamines with alcohol, benziodiazepines, heroine, psychedelics and weed. [B]Every drugs has it's own character, and at what point the positives outweigh the negatives depends completely on environment, habitat, the drug itself, and the PERSON [/B] Yes, the person. Everyone is different. Some have addicting characters, others have not. I am lucky to not have one. I have seen people get destroyed from using weed (Losing job's, family, financial problems you name it) and have people who have the perfect life whilst they still use [B]allot[/B]. At the same time, psychedelics have for me drastically increased the positives side of my life. Whilst I have friends who completely lost their mind due tripping. You can't just say, this is too often, this is too much, this is bad, this is good. It all depends on the person. You do know there are people who uses the drugs you hate so much responsibly? And I do not mean, they never overdose, they dont use too often. No. They just dont pass their limit. This limit is different for everybody.
Thats why one single group of people shouldn't decide for others what to take and what not. It's different for everybody, and only you know your body and mind the best. Some people can live with allot of drugs, fine. But there are also allot of people who go batshit insane from trying something three times.
I mean, I can still relate from your point of view. But I can drugs perfectly fine without having the problems you have. Don't mention "It'll come" or "It gets everyone". No it doesn't. Just because you have had this experience doesn't mean you should ruin the fun for the rest of us. People with addictive characters will find something to destroy their lives with. Banning drugs won't solve it.
The problem with the legality of drugs is where do you drawn the line between drugs and toxic substances? Toxic substances are perfectly legal, including poisons like cyanide (as long as you don't possess large amounts of it)
[editline]25th July 2012[/editline]
Imo drug laws should be like laws on poisons. Spiking or 'poisoning' people with them, selling them without being licensed to, and possessing large amounts should all be illegal, but people can buy and take any drugs they like and not be punished for it
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