Int'l Committee Says "War on Drugs" a Failure; Legalize Marijuana

[WilsonFourTwo]

From Today's Globe & Mail.

I was pretty surprised to see the names of the committee members.....some pretty highly respected people from across the world. Ernesto Zedillo (Mexican President), Paul Volcker (USA Fed Boss), Koffi Annan (UN Sec-General).....the list goes on.

"The report says “vast expenditure” had been spent on criminalization and repressive measures.

The commission’s report adds that money spent by governments on futile efforts to reduce the supply of drugs and on jailing people on drug-related offenses could be better spent on different ways to reduce drug demand and the harm caused by drug abuse.

Also, they feel that legalizing (specifically) marijuana would really help cut the legs off of organized crime.

[Coys1882]

Taking the resources you spend on pot related investigations and focusing that on Meth and other crimes seems much more beneficial.

[surferguy]

In other news, the sky is blue

[Ducay]

Originally Posted by surferguy

In other news, the sky is blue

True, but you've got to understand this is news based on the people that are finally admitting it.

Doubt this will have an impact on the US, given the continuing dominance of conservative politics there.

[troutman]

The Netherlands is re-thinking their liberal drug laws.

[WilsonFourTwo]

Originally Posted by surferguy

In other news, the sky is blue

You've missed the point.

This isn't the BC Weed Association we're talking about. The people who have enacted and overseen the War on Drugs now appear to think that the "Zero Tolerance, Throw Everyone in Jail" policy really isn't working.

"The Man" is changing his tune. This doesn't happen on a regular basis, and is certainly worth watching.

[Traditional_Ale]

Good.

[blankall]

Originally Posted by troutman

The Netherlands is re-thinking their liberal drug laws.

I think a large part of this has to do with the fact that marijuana is illegal everywhere else though. So the Netherlands essentially becomes a drug tourist spot which attracts idiots and organized crime from all over the world. If marijuana was legal in more places, they wouldn't have the same problems.

My only issue with legalizing marijuana is how do you tell when people are driving under the influence?

[Temporary_User]

Originally Posted by blankall

My only issue with legalizing marijuana is how do you tell when people are driving under the influence?

Probably the same test we use for people who are too tired to drive.

I think it should be the same punishment too.

[BurningYears]

Originally Posted by blankall

I think a large part of this has to do with the fact that marijuana is illegal everywhere else though. So the Netherlands essentially becomes a drug tourist spot which attracts idiots and organized crime from all over the world. If marijuana was legal in more places, they wouldn't have the same problems.

My only issue with legalizing marijuana is how do you tell when people are driving under the influence?

I'd say with the bloodshot eyes and giant bag of doritos.

[Yeah_Baby]

Koffi Annan isn't Secretary-General anymore. Ban Ki-moon is.

[Bill Bumface]

Originally Posted by troutman

The Netherlands is re-thinking their liberal drug laws.

Because they are trying to chop the legs off of their organized crime as well. Weed cafes are supplied by illegal sources. Use is legal, supply is not.

[longsuffering]

Originally Posted by troutman

The Netherlands is re-thinking their liberal drug laws.

To be accurate, the Netherlands are re-considering certain aspects of their liberal drug laws, specifically whether tourists should be able to enjoy "Dutch Delights".

Anything I've read has indicated that Dutch citizens will be able to obtain smokables by becoming a member at a coffeeshop, and afaik, Holland is not contemplating any change to their law that permits individuals to grow their own for personal use.

The 'Right' hasn't succeeded at dragging anyone back to the dark ages yet.

I suspect that at the end of the day, an exception to the new restrictions for foreign visitors will be made for Amsterdam.

[SebC]

Originally Posted by Ducay

Doubt this will have an impact on the US, given the continuing dominance of conservative politics there.

The US? It's relevant here too.

[schteve_d]

I smoked pot in high school and for a while after but haven't smoked it in years so I'm certainly no advocate but I am nearly positive that marijuana will be legal in this country in my lifetime. I'm all for it.

I don't use prostitutes either but I think that will be legal one day here too.

I'm ok with both.

[Azure]

I find the war on drugs to be pretty hilarious actually, considering most the 'hard' drugs come up through Mexico, and the US isn't doing enough to secure the border.

Either way, the whole idea was stupid to begin with. You don't stop the war on drugs by throwing everyone that uses drugs in jail. The only way to stop them is to stop the demand. Which means educating our children, and making sure they have a future where drug use isn't rampant.

This all ties in with the ever-increasing line between the rich and the poor in the US, and a welfare system that is broken. If you have to fix the drug problem, you have to fix all those other things first.

[driveway]

Originally Posted by Azure

This all ties in with the ever-increasing line between the rich and the poor in the US, and a welfare system that is broken. If you have to fix the drug problem, you have to fix all those other things first.

Actually, it's pretty clear that the current method used to combat the "drug problem" is a major, MAJOR cause of the other issues you mention. In particular, you find a huge predominance of young black fathers in prison for marijuana charges, which leaves their children at a significant economic and social disadvantage, which perpetuates a cycle of welfare-dependence and violence.

Reforming the drug laws would actually be a great FIRST step towards solving issues like the ever-increasing gap between the rich and poor and the 'broken' welfare system.

[Azure]

Originally Posted by driveway

Actually, it's pretty clear that the current method used to combat the "drug problem" is a major, MAJOR cause of the other issues you mention. In particular, you find a huge predominance of young black fathers in prison for marijuana charges, which leaves their children at a significant economic and social disadvantage, which perpetuates a cycle of welfare-dependence and violence.

Reforming the drug laws would actually be a great FIRST step towards solving issues like the ever-increasing gap between the rich and poor and the 'broken' welfare system.

True.

I just think that the goal should be to help people get out of poverty and be successful. Doing that will help reduce drug use.

Of course, getting rid of ridiculous charges would be a GREAT first step.

[SebC]

I'd like to note that taking a "War on Drugs" approach to the "War on (Digital) Piracy" is likely to yield poor results as well.

[Azure]

Just like a War on Guns would yield poor results as well.