Drug legalisation

[alframsey]

Bob Ainsworth reckons proper legalisation and regulation of illegal drugs is the only realistic way to go in the future. What are your thoughts?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-12011866

[LusciousLucy]

I'm not saying it WILL happen but there are a lot of high level rumblings across the planet from drugs advisors and political players in various countries including South America.

What annoyed me on the morning reports of this was the newsreader on the Beeb saying 'against public/popular opinion' about this guy. In my opinion, legalisation and control of substances would bring an end to criminality but is it/could it be honestly workable?

[saratink]

The thing is, what will the current drug dealers end up doing with their lives? Unless they carry on dealing the drugs that people just can't get hold of, then it's likely that they will turn to other types of crime to 'earn a living'.

[grumpyhack]

It won't happen. Ainsworth is going against mainstream public opinion, which, sadly, is generally misinformed. What he says probably makes sense but he's got no chance with the present government and his views have even been disowned by Labour.

[rabid]

The thing is, what will the current drug dealers end up doing with their lives? Unless they carry on dealing the drugs that people just can't get hold of, then it's likely that they will turn to other types of crime to 'earn a living'.

[eFestivals]

The thing is, what will the current drug dealers end up doing with their lives? Unless they carry on dealing the drugs that people just can't get hold of, then it's likely that they will turn to other types of crime to 'earn a living'.

Nope.

30 years of association with drug dealers of various kinds and of various levels tells me that they're FAR more likely to end up as successful legal businessmen of some type or other.

Drug dealing is an entrepreneurial opportunity, so it's potential entrepreneur's that tend to do it.

[benc]

Drug dealing is an entrepreneurial opportunity, so it's potential entrepreneur's that tend to do it.

[jump]

He just wants to leagalise it so they can put a tax on it. I do wonder if drugs were made legal would it bring more tourists in the country like Amsterdam?

[Alcatraz]

He just wants to leagalise it so they can put a tax on it. I do wonder if drugs were made legal would it bring more tourists in the country like Amsterdam?

[benc]

I'm not sure how we can legalise a drug like herion, i mean how exactly would it work? and what would the effect be on the user and any potential user? the users would still need to pay for the drug and so why would crime stop? - they still need to pay for their habbit

In principle i like the idea of legalisation, but i dont see it ever happening in my lifetime.

[jump]

I'm not sure how we can legalise a drug like herion, i mean how exactly would it work? and what would the effect be on the user and any potential user? the users would still need to pay for the drug and so why would crime stop? - they still need to pay for their habbit

In principle i like the idea of legalisation, but i dont see it ever happening in my lifetime.

[eFestivals]

I do wonder if drugs were made legal would it bring more tourists in the country like Amsterdam?

Probably.

Tho the EU has just ruled that Holland is allowed to introduce/have laws that ban foriegners from its cannabis cafes. There's a law like that already in operation in Maastrict, and it's now likely to go nationwide across Holland.

But who needs to go to Amsterdam anyway?

[eFestivals]

I'm not sure how we can legalise a drug like herion, i mean how exactly would it work? and what would the effect be on the user and any potential user? the users would still need to pay for the drug and so why would crime stop? - they still need to pay for their habbit

There'd be two major differences:-

1. the quality could be controlled and standardised. This means that very many fewer people would die as a result of taking the drug, because most deaths are caused by either the drug being cut with something dodgy, or by a person suddenly getting some that's significantly stronger (due to less cutting than normal) than they're used to.

2. the cost of the drug would be far less. Currently the cost is so high to cover the consequences of its illegality if a supplier gets caught.

In principle i like the idea of legalisation, but i dont see it ever happening in my lifetime.

Very sadly, you're probably right because the likes of the Daily Mail make it impossible for there to ever be a reasonable debate about drugs issues.

[Steve P]

So was Bunny Colvin's Hamsterdam experiment right?

[saratink]

The only reason they are probably even considering it is because it would generate a huge amount of tax.

Sadly though, people may start to think its okay to take drugs like heroin because it is legal.

[eFestivals]

Sadly though, people may start to think its okay to take drugs like heroin because it is legal.

All the evidence shows that the exact opposite is true.

The govt of course ignore that evidence and claim your statement is true to avoid attack by the likes of the Daily Hate Mail.

[jump]

The only reason they are probably even considering it is because it would generate a huge amount of tax.

Sadly though, people may start to think its okay to take drugs like heroin because it is legal.

[eFestivals]

... in this country you can be hanged for putting a stamp upside on a letter....

I always stick them on upside down out of principle. That's how much of rebel I am.

But was it really hanging? I knew it was an offence that came under treason, but didn't think it was high treason.

Anyway, whatever it is the hanging part is no longer true - the last remaining UK law that a person could be hung for was changed during the last Labour term, with Jack Straw the guy who did it. I just can't remember which job he was doing at the time of that change, nor what the law was - tho I have a feeling it was something related to the military, perhaps desertion.

[saratink]

woman can't eat chocolate in public

[LondonTom]

Maybe it would bring in Americans, but I'd imagine if it did bring people in, only London would really benefit

[alframsey]

I must say I fall on the side of legalisation. For a number of reasons; the fact it can be properly regulated and quality controlled, there wouldbe less stigma towards those who enjoy occasionally dabbling in recriational drugs (as the amount currently is a joke, we all know the mostdangerous and anti-social drug on the planet is Alcohol, yet its the most socially acceptable!), it could then allow for research into the medicl benefits of certain drugs (ie MDMA, LSD, etc) which is currently denied due to the public perception of illegal drugs.

As a nation we are grossely misinformed where illegal drugs are concerned, this frankly needs to change!

[Purple Monkey]

It should be completely legal to possess and take any drug in any manner you wish. The reasons as to why certain substances are against the law and some are not seem completely arbitrary to me.

/raises shield against any potential incoming self-righteousness

Edited December 17, 2010 by Purple Monkey

[llcoolphil]

Bob Ainsworth reckons proper legalisation and regulation of illegal drugs is the only realistic way to go in the future. What are your thoughts?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-12011866

[worm]

Nope.

30 years of association with drug dealers of various kinds and of various levels tells me that they're FAR more likely to end up as successful legal businessmen of some type or other.

Drug dealing is an entrepreneurial opportunity, so it's potential entrepreneur's that tend to do it.

Edited December 19, 2010 by worm

[LondonTom]

My thought is that he would be better to have these thoughts when he's the member of a government rather than wait 'til he's in opposition the spineless twat.