The War on drugs is a failure. A war by definition has a winner and a loser. It's not something stuck in perpetuity. The west has been declaring "war" on its own citizens for too long with this. If heroin was legal tomorrow would everyone go shoot up? No. Do the current laws stop users of heroin from using? No. Drugs will always be around, but who do you want controlling them? Organized crime or government and business? Cue the "government is organized crime" jokes.
Cigarette use has been dropping steadily, why? Education. This can work for controlled substances as well IMO. This is a health and morality issue more than it is a law enforcement issue. Frankly I feel law enforcement resources should be put back to public safety rather than enforcing health and morality issues.
People will ask about impaired driving, open use of drugs etc. The laws are already in place to deal with this. Police would still enforce impaired driving by drug. Drinking in public is ticket able, so would using drugs in public. If you pass out from too much booze in public you get taken to the police station, hospital or detox. Could work for drug users too.
The amount of court time and police resources freed up would be immense. More money could b put into treatment and education.
My 2 cents.
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