The Legalization of Drugs

With all the talk in politics about medical marijuana and the talk in social circles about the outright legalization of marijuana, I thought I would come out and talk about the issue from my perspective. However, I am not going to limit the discussion to just marijuana simply because it would not be appropriate. You'll find out why if you read on...

First off, let me say that I applaud states like Ohio which in recent years have made changes to become "decriminalized" states. Basically what this means is that, although it is illegal to possess small amounts of marijuana, enforcement for users is extremely low priority. In Ohio, possession of small amounts of marijuana is a 4th degree misdemeanor (the same charge that I faced when going 26 mph over the speed limit). To me, this is a step in the right direction, however not for the reasons that most people believe, nor for the reasons usually assumed.

I'm going to come right out and say it. I believe that all drugs should be legal. In the following premises, I will build a case for the legalization of ALL drugs, based on facts.

1.) Illegal drugs are no more harmful to individuals than legal ones.
-The only difference between morphine and heroin is that one is used in hospitals, and one is shot by junkies with a dirty needle in an abandoned shack occupied by other junkies.
-Heroin and morphine literally are from the exact same opioid family. (hint: the chemical name for heroin is diacetylmorphine.

2.) Chemical addiction is a health issue, not a legal one.
-Now, by no means am I making excuses for addicts; They have made their own decisions and they are facing the reality of addiction and the consequences. However, once someone has an addiction problem they become largely incapable of making rational decisions for themselves. This does not excuse crimes that they commit while under the influence of drugs; They should be held wholly accountable. However, to pigeonhole these individuals and criminalize them only contributes to their matrix of deviance. Once you label someone a deviant, the person (usually) becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy and will continue to be a deviant.
-By caring for our addicts and removing the social stigma that is placed upon them by society we are not only contributing to the improvement of their lives, but also our own. We must acknowledge that much random street (violent) crime is a result of an addict behaving irrationally in order to obtain the means to obtain the drugs he/she desires. By not ostracizing these people, we maintain the social connection of society and increase the chances that the person can be brought back.

3.) The war on drugs is ineffective and inefficient
-Since the early 1980s when the war on drugs began, billions of dollars have been funneled from YOUR pocket to fund the war on drugs. This "war" has been going on for over 20 years and has resulted in nothing more than increasing the number of US citizens that are in jail, and thereby spending even more of our tax dollars to keep them and take care of them in jail. $22,600 of our tax money each year goes to sustain ONE person in jail. Keeping in mind that from 1990 to 2000, the US prison population DOUBLED. This is not taking into account the 8 or so years in the 80s and the 8 or so years in the 2000s; At which some statistics have shown that that figure is actually tripled. This is wasted money and wasted lives, much of is as a result of punishing non-violent addicts.

4.) America is highly medicated with drugs that (can be) mind-altering and dangerous already
-While the drugs are prescribed and legal, the number of Americans that are taking at least one prescription drug is around 50%. Now, these are a variety of different medications for a variety of reasons. However, the statistics for anti-depressants (to deal with reality) are around 10% for women and 5% for men.
-The companies that make these prescription drugs contribute massive amounts of money to politicians (namely congresspeople) in order to advance their agenda, enable themselves to keep selling these drugs and stifle competition from both legal (competing pharmaceutical companies) and illegal sources (street dealers). This includes keeping drugs that are LESS harmful than cigarettes and alcohol illegal. In short, one major reason the war on drugs exists is to line the pockets of both high-powered politicians and corporations. This is the reason that the taxpayer is paying billions of dollars and the reason that millions of Americans are being imprisoned.


OK. So, if all of my previous statements are true, then that means that the decision to make a drug illegal is arbitrary since there are drugs that are legal that are harmful and addictive. It also means that that arbitrary decision is in large part made by people whose decision-making process is compromised by corruption. It ALSO means that we are wasting billions of dollars while accomplishing nothing more than turning a nation of deviants into a nation of prisoners, thereby enhancing their deviance. Finally it also means that we are hypocrites because we will caution others against the dangers of drugs like ecstasy, lsd and marijuana while throwing a shot of alcohol down our throat and popping a pill.

POST COMMENTS: It is important to keep in mind that all drugs have the potential to be hazardous and should not be taken lightly, legal or illegal. Personal responsibility is the best weapon against addiction. You cannot go through life expecting the government to force you to not do things that are bad for you. YOU have to make those decisions for yourself. Forcing the government to make those decisions for you results in a loss of liberty for yourself and bureaucratic "one-size fits all decisions" from the government.

Take responsibility for yourself and make good decisions because you only have one body and one life to live.