Should all drugs be legal?

1. 63

   SportsBetterposted 11 years ago

   Should all drugs be legal?

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2. 82

   Wesman Todd Shawposted 11 years ago

   Do bears defecate in the woods?
   
   Of course all illegal drugs should be legalized.  By criminalizing all those drugs, our government overthrew the governments of all nations South of us....installing a handful of people that run all those nations....people more vicious than Al Capone ever was.

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   1. 63

      SportsBetterposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      The CIA trades weapons for cocaine, then smuggles the cocaine back into the United States

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      Larry Wallposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Excess aspirin can kill some people. Excess Tylenol can cause liver damage. They are legal. Imagine what the prescription drugs can do to you--especially the hundreds you never heard of.

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   3. 82

      Wesman Todd Shawposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      I used to work for a man who's entire company was a front for importing cocaine from Peru...you're not telling me anything I don't know!

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      Larry Wallposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Mr. Shaw, I am certain you turned that man into the authorities and SportsBetter I am certain you can prove that statement.

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      Wesman Todd Shawposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Larry Wall, turn in a CIA operative?  What sort of nonsense are you talking?  Oh, just nonsense, that is what.

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3. 93

   peeplesposted 11 years ago

   I think many should. In a sense I think all all should. People should be free to destroy their own lives as much as the want. A simple somewhat solution to many problems would be to make it legal to do drugs but not legal to sell them. That way some control can still remain. Unfortunatly if we were to do this, then the government would be in control of selling which I am not sure would lead to good results. I find it odd that our country allow both nicotine and alcohol to be legal yet marijuana, which is 100% natural, is illegal. Sounds like backwards logic to me, that is funded by the health industry to keep people sick so they can keep making money.

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      TIMETRAVELER2posted 11 years agoin reply to this

      The problem with your premise is that when people "destroy their own lives", they cost the rest of us a lot of money, and sometimes our own lives as well.

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      Larry Wallposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Some of my comments are beginning to be hidden because of negative feedback. I guess some people are just not willing to consider other view points. I have already written a hub on this.

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4. 81

   tmbridgelandposted 11 years ago

   I say yes. Illegal drug profits pay for big corruption in government. Not just in Mexico and S America, but in the US as well.

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      SportsBetterposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Oh, the US Government is heavily involved in drug trafficking

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   2. 81

      tmbridgelandposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Did I say that? No, I didn't. I said illegal profits go to corrupt government.

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      lone77starposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      And @tmbridgeland, @SportsBetter did not say that you said that. He was only making a statement of fact in addition to your statements. Sadly, @SportsBetter's statement is true. The CIA has been especially guilty of trafficking in drugs.

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      Wesman Todd Shawposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      The CIA does little but murder, manipulate, and sell drugs...

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   5. 63

      SportsBetterposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Tmbridgeland, you didn't say that, but it is true the CIA smuggles cocaine which a government agency.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l6VYd1gpiNk watch the video

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      Larry Wallposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Where is the proof about this CIA drug trafficking. Sounds like the beginning of a great hub, assuming you have the evidence to back up the claims.

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5. 60

   Timothy Donnellyposted 11 years ago

   Of course NOT. The various governments best "govern" the availability of (obviously harmful) "drugs" to a more up-to-date and schooled level, with an eye to mitigate as much as possible the "criminalization" of possessors/users, IMO.

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6. 84

   DS Dubyposted 11 years ago

   definitely not, it's a common sense question. drug addiction causes people to go to extreme measures to acquire those drugs including hurting and stealing from others. why would you add fuel to the fire by making them legal and causing even more addictions. alcohol is bad enough.

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   1. 63

      SportsBetterposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Well when drugs are illegal it is easier for kids to get them because they aren't regulated by age.  Also, people are already doing drugs.  If heroin was legal I still wldn't use it.  Government made drugs illegal to push prices up so they can profit

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   2. 84

      DS Dubyposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      The government made drugs illegal cause they destroy lives alcohol and cigarettes are legal and kids still do them and when they see their parents doing it openly they're even more likely to do them. The child of a smoker usually tries smoking

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   3. 63

      SportsBetterposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      It is the parents job to protect kids from cigs and alcohol, not leave them readily available.  It is much harder for kid to get alcohol, than marijuana. Also, heroin sales are up since US troops have been guarding poppy plants in Afghanistan.

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   4. 84

      DS Dubyposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Drug users aren't known for their great parenting skills now are they. Your defense of drug abuse is actually rather disturbing. I've done construction for 20 years and have watched drugs destroy so many lives its sickening

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   5. 61

      Josakposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Well straight off the bat Cocaine kills 3500 people a year in Mexico and the US combined the drug violence over cocaine kills about 13 000 people yearly in the US and Mexico so it's obvious which will save more lives. Not to mention the prison pop.

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   6. 0

      Larry Wallposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      If kids are getting the drugs now and you legalize them, how is that going to stop the kids from getting them. The underground market will just make it easier for them to get it or they will steal their parents' stash.

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   7. 63

      SportsBetterposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      larry, you legalize and regulate. Just like alcohol and cigarettes

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      Larry Wallposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      SportsBetter: Can you really tell me that underage children do not have access to alcohol and tobacco. Older friends buy it for them. They find their parent's hidden stash. Do you really think legalizing drugs will reduce use by underage children?

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7. 61

   Josakposted 11 years ago

   In my opinion yes they should be legalized not only because we should try to extend all liberties to our people but also because the data shows that if drugs are sold safely it reduces drug mortality and massively reduces the spread of illness by re-using needles. Regulated drugs are much safer that those that can be cut with anything at all.
   
   Now please don't try and turn this into an anti government message....

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   1. 84

      DS Dubyposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      While we're at it maybe we should legalize murder and robbery also we wouldn't want anyone's liberties exploited

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      Josakposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Murder and robbery inflict upon the rights of others (namely the right to property and safety) so they should be crimes. Taking a drug does not inflict on anyone's rights.

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      DS Dubyposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Drug addicts are the number 1 cause of robbery and very high on the list of causes for murder in the US addicts will do anything to pay for their fix except work cause the ruins their high.

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   4. 61

      Josakposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Committing crimes should be crime not doing things that sometimes lead to crime, people who ear hoodies are more likely to commit crime as are people who own motorbikes, should we ban them too?

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   5. 84

      DS Dubyposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      We're not going to agree on this and that's fine we're all entitled to our opinions but I'm not gonna waste anymore time arguing my point since legalization on that level will never happen anyway.

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   6. 61

      Josakposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      I am sure it will eventually. Did you care to look mathematically at the fact that the drug wars killed several times more people than drugs?

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      DS Dubyposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      No I didn't sorry, have you ever had a life long friend stab their girlfriend 2 days before Christmas over crack and then hang their self in their basement cause I did. My opinions not gonna change as I'm sure yours won't either.

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   8. 63

      SportsBetterposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      DS, violence occurs with alcohol all the time and that is legal.  Studies show drug use goes down when they are legal.  Also, if they were legal the prices would go down and there would be less robberies.

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   9. 0

      Larry Wallposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      How are these users going to be able to afford these legalized drugs if they have to rob and steal now and reuse needles. If legalized, the drugs are going to be sold by licensed merchants who pay taxes, will demand ID and will be video taping sales.

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8. 75

   d.williamposted 11 years ago

   In my opinion - yes.  That is all drugs that are natural products.  I never could understand how man could make something that nature produces illegal.  This is an affront to the creator of all things. 
   Man made pharmaceuticals certainly should remain by prescription, as they are more deadly than anything than nature produces. 
   If natural products were made legal, there would be no need to traffic drugs around the world.  Prohibition did not work.  But lessons are learned slowly by self appointed do-gooders and politicians.
   If people are stupid enough to abuse these drugs, the consequences would be no different than those produced by the abuse of alcohol. 
   The idea that such milder natural products, such as cannabis, are gateway drugs that will lead to addiction of stronger ones is one of the most inane arguments one can make. 
   It is not the use of these drugs that  ruins thousands of lives on a daily basis, but rather the penalties imposed by government that destroys lives more.   Our "justice" system has caused a greater negative impact on the lives of people using drugs for recreational purposes than the use of the drugs themselves.

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      thegeckoposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      I support legalizing drugs, but I'm not a big fan of the 'comes from nature' argument. There are tons of natural substances that are toxic and fatal to humans.

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      d.williamposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      True, but there are no laws protecting people from toxic or poisonous plants, are there?  It is not the caring about the safety of others, but rather the dictating of behavior by authority that is at fault.  Laws do nothing to give one logic

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      Larry Wallposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      I cannot stop you from eating poisonous mushrooms because they grow in the wild. If you eat them you will pay a consequence. If you knowingly sell that poisonous mushroom to a person without warning them, you could be held for a variety of crimes.

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9. 0

   thegeckoposted 11 years ago

   The drugs aren't the problem, it's a culture unable sustain the value of not using drugs.
   
   Many people can use recreational drugs without doing much harm to themselves or harming others, they should not be punished. The law should not impose itself on victimless crimes.
   
   Too many people are in prison for drug use, they do not deserve to be there.
   
   Too much government money is wasted because of the criminalization of drugs.
   
   Keeping these substances illegal is not preventing overall abuse or reducing consumption.
   
   People addicted to drugs need help, not a criminal stigma or a toss in the slammer.
   
   If drugs lead someone to commit a crime like theft, that action is already illegal and punishable. Drug users do not need to be condemned twice.
   
   I can buy a gun. That's legal. I can then shoot myself.
   
   I can legally buy a knife. I can then mutilate myself.
   
   I can legally buy bleach. I can then drink it.
   
   Why punish people for making poor/stupid choices? All drugs should be legal.

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   1. 63

      SportsBetterposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=en … rFWDHQcIG8

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      Larry Wallposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      If you shoot, mutilate, shoot or poison your self that may be your business. But when you get in the car after shooting up and think you can drive that becomes my business.

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      thegeckoposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      That is true, but then causing car accidents and killing people with your car is already illegal.

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      druhepkinsposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      My sentiments exactly.

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      Larry Wallposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      The gecko:Killing people in an accident in one crime.  However, if you are high, you should not be in a car. The accident goes from involuntary manslaughter to manslaughter or worse.  By being high you have increased the chance of having an accident.

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      thegeckoposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      But you do not need to be driving in the first place. The problem is irresponsible drug users. Should irresponsibility be illegal? There are also plenty of people on the road causing fatal accidents that are not under the influence.

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10. 65

    D Shannahanposted 11 years ago

    Yes.  First of all let me say that what kind of free country puts people behind bars daily for actions that are non-violent and not restricting other people's freedom (regardless over whether or not they are harming themselves, can't we let the consequences of drug use and addiction be punishment enough?).  Plus, if drugs were legal, it doesn't mean they would be acceptable.  Smart people don't abuse drugs.  People that respect themselves don't abuse drugs.  Drugs can be a tool, but absolutely are not a necessity. 
    
    That being said, if all drugs were legal, we could simply shift all the money spent trying to incarcerate drug users/smugglers and hunting down illegal drug activity with drug awareness campaigns.  Im not talking reefer madness propaganda bullshit -- Real true factual information and examples showing what the process of addiction is like and the non-exaggerated dangers of drug use.  Let the facts reach the public, and let the public make their own decisions like a free country should.
    
    To end this ramble, who in their right mind would put someone who is already struggling and without direction in their life into such an environment as a prison to hinder and f up their life even more.  We need positive outreach for people who want to improve their lives, not jail. And for those who don't want to improve their lives, let their self-inflicted suffering be sufficient punishment.

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       Larry Wallposted 11 years agoin reply to this

       Your argument about letting the consequences of drug addition being adequate punishment is flawed. That person may have stolen from me, snatch a purse from my wife, hit my car while under the influence and used taxpayer dollars for ER visits.

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       D Shannahanposted 11 years agoin reply to this

       hello???  If a drug addict commits theft, arrest them for theft!!!!  I am NOT saying we should legalize theft and drunk or drugged driving!  Theft is still theft, even if it is committed by a drug addict.  Lets try and think clearly here.

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       Larry Wallposted 11 years agoin reply to this

       D Shannahan: All drunk drivers do not cause accidents. I assumed all drugged drivers do not caused accidents, but they may not be driving properly and will be stopped and charged with driving under the influence of something. Three times and its jail

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    4. 65

       D Shannahanposted 11 years agoin reply to this

       I totally agree.  Driving with poor reactions and making stupid decisions behind the wheel because of being under the influence puts innocent people in danger.  That, by all means, should be illegal.  There is no reason however, to incarcerate people

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11. 73

    lone77starposted 11 years ago

    Absolutely. All drugs should be legal.
    
    I personally don't condone the use of recreational drugs, but we should not criminalize their use.
    
    We already have laws that cover harm done to others. If someone does no harm to others, why should we be able to decide what they do to themselves? Sounds like tyranny to me.

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    1. 0

       Larry Wallposted 11 years agoin reply to this

       Should pregnant women be allowed to use drugs. My adopted son had a birth mother who used drugs and he is suffering the consequences of it.

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12. 61

    hi friendposted 11 years ago

    I think all drugs must not be always a legal one.

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13. 59

    Agantumposted 11 years ago

    Legal or illegal, drugs will continue to be available.    The illegal drug supply, regulated by a justice system and criminals or a legal drug supply, regulated by a health system and drug companies?  Legal drugs support taxpayers not terrorists.

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       Larry Wallposted 11 years agoin reply to this

       You are not going to eliminate the illegal dealers. There will always be a new drug they will have first. They will always be a stronger variety or a willingness to sell more and a willingness to sell to minors. The illegal market will adapt.

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       SportsBetterposted 11 years agoin reply to this

       The United States has less than 5 percent of the world's population. But it has almost a quarter of the world's prisoners.

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       Larry Wallposted 11 years agoin reply to this

       How many of those prisoners have been on death row waiting for their final determination. What is the execution rate in those other countries compared to the U.S. and how many prisoners are just not reported.

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    4. 82

       Wesman Todd Shawposted 11 years agoin reply to this

       Hey Larry, you just proved why criminalizing substances doesn't work....

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14. 74

    backporchstoriesposted 11 years ago

    Once we introduce the word "legal", we have begun to disrupt the free will process.  We each are responsible for ourselves in the choices we make.  When society makes anything illegal, we have essentially made that choice for everyone, excluding those who made the choice to break the law!  We should use knowledge and teachings to protect others from making stupid mistakes and stop playing God to the masses with you can have this,.....but you can not have that!  Only God's laws should really be upheld and not the judicial crap we have created today.  Already the mentality of let's make things illegal to keep the people from making idiot decision has already infringed on people rights in New York City where you can not buy a super size drink.  Where will legalization stop!

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       Larry Wallposted 11 years agoin reply to this

       So with your logic, I can drive on the left side of the street instead of the right and I can enter lock buildings, just to look around and I can have horses and cows in the patch of ground behind the apartment complex. We cannot survive without laws

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    druhepkinsposted 11 years ago

    Absolutely. This country has to grow up and realize that making something legal doesn't mean promoting its use. Legalizing drugs actually makes them easier to control, makes them safer, reduces crime, and it removes the market and power away from the criminals and drug traffickers. They also never tell us that the drugs with the worst statistics are cigarettes, prescription pills and alcohol, and not the ones they constantly throw people in jail for.
    
    We already know the war on drugs doesn't work, wastes taxpayer money, prohibition period doesn't work, and nonviolent Americans continuously get dragged into prisons for bad habits that aren't necessarily crimes. And police ignorantly risk their lives apprehending drug dealers who'll be replaced in the same hour.
    
    There are things that will always be frowned upon in society and things that we probably shouldn't do, and that we should discourage culturally, but we should learn that we don't need to label everything we don't like as crimes and arrest people. The drugs and the market will still be there legal or not.

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       Larry Wallposted 11 years agoin reply to this

       If drugs are regulated and the strength or amount that would be available at one time was not your liking, would you look for an underground seller to meet your demand?

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       druhepkinsposted 11 years agoin reply to this

       Since when do "underground" drugs (often cut with other substances so that the criminal dealers can make more profit offering less) beat the pure and uncut legal ones?  Never. You got it completely backwards.

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       Alicia Grayposted 11 years agoin reply to this

       Very interesting, suggestive question directed toward you don't you think lol?

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       Wesman Todd Shawposted 11 years agoin reply to this

       Larry has no idea what he is talking about...he is a scared old man who supports dead horses.

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       Larry Wallposted 11 years agoin reply to this

       Wesman Todd Shaw:
       I am 61. I am tired--tired of some of the stuff I read hear. If you have read all my comments you will see I do have some knowledge about drug interactions and addictions. You just want to do your thing and not be bothered by logic.

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       druhepkinsposted 11 years agoin reply to this

       LOL. Well Alicia, I assumed that HE assumed ppl who advocate legalizing drugs must actually go around doing them, which of course isn't the case. I don't support drug use but I knew what he meant and answered the question hypothetically speaking.

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16. 63

    SportsBetterposted 11 years ago

    I think all drugs should be legal.  When they are illegal it gives the power to the drug dealer and creates all the crime associated. 
    
    Most people in jail are non-violent drug users and come out of jail violent.
    
    The system isn't working and the federal government knows they aren't allowed to make laws against drugs. 
    
    I think we can all take advice from Plato, " Good people do not need laws to tell them to act responsibly, while bad people will find a way around the laws. "
    
    or even Thomas Jefferson
    
    "If the people let government decide what foods they eat and what medicines they take, their bodies will soon be in as sorry a state as are the souls of those who live under tyranny."

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       Larry Wallposted 11 years agoin reply to this

       I would like to see your statistics about most people in jail being non-violent drug offenders. Are you just counting local jails or are you including state and federal prisons where all the murders, rapists, drug dealers, and kidnappers are kept.

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    daskittlez69posted 11 years ago

    I would say yes.  If drugs were legal then a lot of people would not want to do them.  And there would not be border wars with cartels and such.  For those who would still want to do them, then that is their prerogative.  There should be freewill in this country as well as other countries.

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       Larry Wallposted 11 years agoin reply to this

       Freewill can only go so far. I have a right to bear arms. I do not have the right to shoot you. I have a right to medical care and an obligation to pay taxes to build hospitals for the sick. Should I be forced to pay for medical care of drug addicts.

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