Failed only from some peoples perspective. To those in big pharma and the incarceration industry, or the cartels, the war on drugs is a great thing. Wouldn't it be nice if we had a war on illiteracy, or how about a war on poverty, or a war on hunger? Nope, drugs. Studies are now coming out that show in districts that have relaxed pot laws, drunk driving fatalities are down by upwards of 12%. So now, it's not just a matter of pot laws being misguided or draconian, lives (in a round about way) are being spared. Yet the war marches on. At least America can say we are still #1 in something, too bad it's incarceration rate per capita. USA, USA, USA!
Maybe he is shorting stock in the massive prison-industrial complex. Or maybe he is just another guy stating the obvious, with the exception being that he is famous.
"Marijuana gives rise to insanity -- not in its users but in the policies directed against it. A nation that sentences the possessor of a single joint to life imprisonment without parole but sets a murderer free after perhaps six years is in the grips of a deep psychosis." - Eric Schlosser.
Much like many of the commenters on here I fail to understand the supposed 'war' on drugs.
We already have legal drugs in tobacco and alcohol, both of which generate massive tax capital for the country (despite the additional funds required by our NHS correcting throat, lung, liver and mental problems caused by legal substance abuse), keep people sedate and content with boredom staving off general public unrest and give thousands in the medical profession work.
Legalisation of currently illicit substances is bound to encourage those who were otherwise unlikely to try them, and this will probably not be balanced by the reduction in those deterred by the lack of buzz from breaking the law. It will, however allow control and ensure quality reducing the health problems in those suffering from using tainted substances and allow more effective rehabilitation techniques, not to mention the massive increase in revenue from tax and reduction in funding required by the legal and prison systems.
Blackwater just got a contract to fight the War on Drugs. Maybe he has it out for those guys. Or he knows his dollar will dry up with half the population in jail.
So far nothing has worked. Why not try some version of the Portugal method on a small scale? Drugs continue to ruin lives. I know there is a certain percentage of people in every society that will seek out drugs or alcohol etc. From criminalizing it to punishing it to fighting it to treating it the entire situation with illegal drugs is so out of control we've got to get creative to change things.
"What is my biggest fear in legalizing drugs? Giving my kids easier access to drugs. But I fear that drugs are already that easy to obtain."
You are correct in your fear that drugs are already very easy to obtain. Legalization, (and, GASP, taxation and regulation! oh no!) are the only way to keep drugs out of your kids hands. I bet your children would have a fairly hard time getting their hands on a case of beer. Why? Because it's regulated. Legalization will also cut down on true societal evil like gang violence and a skyrocketing incarceration rate. It might even cause some people open (regulated and taxed) shops and create some jobs.
intrepiddesignJan 23, 2012Buried
Failed only from some peoples perspective. To those in big pharma and the incarceration industry, or the cartels, the war on drugs is a great thing. Wouldn't it be nice if we had a war on illiteracy, or how about a war on poverty, or a war on hunger? Nope, drugs. Studies are now coming out that show in districts that have relaxed pot laws, drunk driving fatalities are down by upwards of 12%. So now, it's not just a matter of pot laws being misguided or draconian, lives (in a round about way) are being spared. Yet the war marches on. At least America can say we are still #1 in something, too bad it's incarceration rate per capita. USA, USA, USA!
professorzuJan 23, 2012Buried
It worked in Portugal
msbpodcastJan 23, 2012Buried
Its a lot better that trying to aim when your seeing double after drinking all that Tequila.
People on pot will hand you a pistol for some nachos.
hagiasoJan 23, 2012Buried
Maybe he is shorting stock in the massive prison-industrial complex. Or maybe he is just another guy stating the obvious, with the exception being that he is famous.
manicdvlnJan 23, 2012Buried
Every time a rich guy says something noble, I always feel their is a hidden agenda behind it.
Donuts4UJan 23, 2012Buried
Every one of them are well known documented drug users.
Donuts4UJan 23, 2012Buried
"Marijuana gives rise to insanity -- not in its users but in the policies directed against it. A nation that sentences the possessor of a single joint to life imprisonment without parole but sets a murderer free after perhaps six years is in the grips of a deep psychosis." - Eric Schlosser.
danchairJan 23, 2012Buried
Much like many of the commenters on here I fail to understand the supposed 'war' on drugs.
We already have legal drugs in tobacco and alcohol, both of which generate massive tax capital for the country (despite the additional funds required by our NHS correcting throat, lung, liver and mental problems caused by legal substance abuse), keep people sedate and content with boredom staving off general public unrest and give thousands in the medical profession work.
Legalisation of currently illicit substances is bound to encourage those who were otherwise unlikely to try them, and this will probably not be balanced by the reduction in those deterred by the lack of buzz from breaking the law. It will, however allow control and ensure quality reducing the health problems in those suffering from using tainted substances and allow more effective rehabilitation techniques, not to mention the massive increase in revenue from tax and reduction in funding required by the legal and prison systems.
Nothing new, but no-one's listening.
MusicManGPJan 23, 2012Buried
Carl Sagan? Steve Jobs? You're kidding right?
sonicomegaJan 23, 2012Buried
Blackwater just got a contract to fight the War on Drugs. Maybe he has it out for those guys. Or he knows his dollar will dry up with half the population in jail.
Donuts4UJan 23, 2012Buried
It's illegal to carry while intoxicated, or in an establishment that serves alcohol in most States.
reecord2Jan 23, 2012Buried
I think we're being subtly trolled? This is a tough one.
corydorningJan 23, 2012Buried
missed the sarcasm. dugg for hilarity.
readmikenowJan 23, 2012Buried
So far nothing has worked. Why not try some version of the Portugal method on a small scale? Drugs continue to ruin lives. I know there is a certain percentage of people in every society that will seek out drugs or alcohol etc. From criminalizing it to punishing it to fighting it to treating it the entire situation with illegal drugs is so out of control we've got to get creative to change things.
intrepiddesignJan 23, 2012Buried
"What is my biggest fear in legalizing drugs? Giving my kids easier access to drugs. But I fear that drugs are already that easy to obtain."
You are correct in your fear that drugs are already very easy to obtain. Legalization, (and, GASP, taxation and regulation! oh no!) are the only way to keep drugs out of your kids hands. I bet your children would have a fairly hard time getting their hands on a case of beer. Why? Because it's regulated. Legalization will also cut down on true societal evil like gang violence and a skyrocketing incarceration rate. It might even cause some people open (regulated and taxed) shops and create some jobs.
corydorningJan 23, 2012Buried
Steve Jobs was a bigger drug user than probably about 50% of those that have been imprisoned for it.
chadpyleJan 23, 2012Buried
Whoops, missed the sarcastic tone.
Donuts4UJan 23, 2012Buried
Well, Thomas Jefferson may or may not have used drugs, but he grew a whole bunch of marijuana. He's the nefarious dealer.
grippedJan 23, 2012Buried
As is Mr Branson
Donuts4UJan 23, 2012Buried
I didn't add Washington because he was a bit stuffy (Washington: A Life by Ron Chernow, good read if you're interested)
Jefferson on the other hand was a wild child.