Drug Decriminalization in Portugal

[Liberty]

Comparing alcohol and marijuana is the age old strawman. Decriminalizing drug use so that treatment can be the focus is a positive. Legalizing them so that they can become a commercial commodity, available to consumers via the market, is irresponsible.

Nothing personal, but,,,,

then we're going to have drug cartels.

And they kill.

This feeds Corrupt officials when we don't have to.

Not to mention the police state this produces.

 

[Canceled2]

Alcohol is worse, and there's a reason we did away with that prohibition.

Is losing your constitution worth having the government take your money to put you and the ones you love through the legal system? Is that the only answer to this issue?

There is no Constitutional right to drug use. Indeed this paper on the historical position of our founding fathers about the opium trade may be instructive. Governments do have a stake in drug use/abuse. It is directly related to the prosperity; health; and well being of a nation. Drug use can and does have many victims.

 

[Liberty]

There is no Constitutional right to drug use. Indeed this paper on the historical position of our founding fathers about the opium trade may be instructive. Governments do have a stake in drug use/abuse. It is directly related to the prosperity; health; and well being of a nation. Drug use can and does have many victims.

I guess we just don't agree on this one issue.

 

[The Dude]

pot is easier for kids to get than cigarettes!!!

legalize and regulate

 

[Mott the Hoople]

I am only just leaning this way... The approach of decriminalizing usage and possession for personal use as opposed to blanket legalization is, I think, a less partisan approach.

The most important aspects of this approach are thre fold. #1. It greatly reduces the black market for drugs and #2. It provides an avenue for those with chemical dependence problems to seek help with out prosecution and #3. It dramatically reduces the strain on our criminal justice system which is being over whelmed by these non-violent offenders.

 

[Mott the Hoople]

Fuck decriminalization - its for pussies!!

Well it's just right for you then!

 

[Mott the Hoople]

The money being used for treatment was previously used to house them in prisons- the stats show that less money is needed not only in the short term, but with drug use reduction, future funding becomes an even bigger savings.

That's pretty progressive thinking there ID.

 

[Mott the Hoople]

We could look at what happened when we ended prohibition.

Crime went way down, bootleggers went out of business, etc.

The incidence of alcoholism went down too.

 

[The Dude]

Nobody is really pushing decrim all drugs!!!
The real push is to decrim or regulate cannabis!

 

[Mott the Hoople]

Good point, but I think prisoners should pay for their incarceration as well.

That's prohibited by the constitution dumb ass.

 

[Mott the Hoople]

Nobody is really pushing decrim all drugs!!!
The real push is to decrim or regulate cannabis!

We had a lot less trouble in Ohio when pot was decriminalized. You could have up to 100 grams and it was a misdemeaner.

 

[DamnYankee]

That's prohibited by the constitution dumb ass.

Since when does the Constitution mean anything to you, liberal?

 

[Canceled2]

That's pretty progressive thinking there ID.

My only sticking point with this "social test" is that it was done under a different behaving government on a different sized populace.

 

[Canceled2]

The incidence of alcoholism went down too.

Actually alcoholism was at it's worst pre prohibition-

 

[Liberty]

Actually alcoholism was at it's worst pre prohibition-

I've never heard that before.

 

[Liberty]

Actually alcoholism was at it's worst pre prohibition-

I've never told you this before, but I really like your avatar.

It really gets to the point.