a current consumer of cannabis in a place where it is illegal to possess or consume that herb, I’d be sad. That may sound counterintuitive, so I’ll explain.
The thing is, it is not drugs (perhaps excepting alcohol) that cause great damage to the consumer and the community, it is drug laws. Whatever harm a drug might cause, that harm is increased by an order of magnitude if it is forced underground, with no oversight over the quality or strength of the drug, and consumers who get into trouble (e.g. addiction) fearing to approach health professionals for advice or guidance. (The same is true even of alcohol, as the US discovered during its ill thought out prohibition of alcohol.)
The implication of legalizing cannabis implies that drugs like ecstasy, LSD, heroin or ice remain illegal. To do the best that can be done for both the drug consumer and the rest of society - All. Drugs. Should. Be. Legal.
Drug consumption that causes problems for the user, is best handled by offering the consumer accurate information about the drug being consumed & the possible health consequences of doing so, and access to professionals that they can approach for help if they feel they want to change that (e.g. to give up consuming the drug in question).
Drug consumption that causes problems for the rest of society is best handled as it pertains to the actual harm caused. E.G. if a drunk driver runs someone down and hurts them, they can be charged with ‘reckless driving endangering life’ etc. Drug consumption does not excuse a person from the consequences of their actions or their failings while under the influence of said drug, but if there are no negative consequences for other people, drug use should be considered an entirely personal matter.
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Answer:
a current consumer of cannabis in a place where it is illegal to possess or consume that herb, I’d be sad. That may sound counterintuitive, so I’ll explain.
The thing is, it is not drugs (perhaps excepting alcohol) that cause great damage to the consumer and the community, it is drug laws. Whatever harm a drug might cause, that harm is increased by an order of magnitude if it is forced underground, with no oversight over the quality or strength of the drug, and consumers who get into trouble (e.g. addiction) fearing to approach health professionals for advice or guidance. (The same is true even of alcohol, as the US discovered during its ill thought out prohibition of alcohol.)
The implication of legalizing cannabis implies that drugs like ecstasy, LSD, heroin or ice remain illegal. To do the best that can be done for both the drug consumer and the rest of society - All. Drugs. Should. Be. Legal.
Drug consumption that causes problems for the user, is best handled by offering the consumer accurate information about the drug being consumed & the possible health consequences of doing so, and access to professionals that they can approach for help if they feel they want to change that (e.g. to give up consuming the drug in question).
Drug consumption that causes problems for the rest of society is best handled as it pertains to the actual harm caused. E.G. if a drunk driver runs someone down and hurts them, they can be charged with ‘reckless driving endangering life’ etc. Drug consumption does not excuse a person from the consequences of their actions or their failings while under the influence of said drug, but if there are no negative consequences for other people, drug use should be considered an entirely personal matter.
Explanation:
correct me if i am wrong