Hopefully Canada will follow suit. They've really been pushing to legalize pot, and last I heard, did successfully decriminalize it. Doesn't mean it's legal, just not
really prosecuted. It would be nice if both neighboring countries went full-bore legal. It would put alot of pressure on the US which is sorely needed.
Theres no problems or worries with pot. It's a non-issue and should never have been made illegal to start with. I don't smoke it, but I know it's history, and plenty about drugs overall.
Heroin is a bit of a problem. It doesn't have to be, in my estimation, but people are too stupid to use anything responsibly, even food. That brings up coke, as it's another issue of personal responsibility. I believe these drugs have medicinal value, and with very careful use, even a recreational value... but people are just not capable of controlling themselves... it's like having one beer versus getting utterly shitfaced.
Ecstasy concerns me most, because you don't know what it's made with. I can not advocate the vast majority of synthetic drugs. That includes things like Rittalin and Wellbutrin, etc...
In any case...
I believe our bodies are something that WE are responsible for, not the government. I'd like the nannies to get off our backs. I'd like to see all drugs become legal, and subject to regulation... so that they ultimately become safer. So that ultimately our streets become safer, without drug wars and street gangs shooting it out over turf.
You may say "what about junkies on the streets instead!" well, the truth is, junkies and crackheads just want more heroin and crack. Legalize the shit, give them "opium dens" and give it away w/clean needles. Now the junkies have a place to go and be happy... they won't bother you. Believe it or not, they really want nothing to do with people.
Look... we have methadone programs now. And needle exchanges. Nothing really changes, and thats the truth. If anything, the situation gets better... because you won't have to rob or steal to get dope. You could go to safe houses to use it. You won't be put on synthetic substitutes far more dangerous than heroin itself... as a means of treatment. Legalization can pave the way for REAL treatment of addicts, leading to a better country overall.
It's a social issue. Therefore it must be addressed and handled as a social issue, not as a criminal one.
The problem with legalization here is basically two- fold.
1. You have generations of people fed nothing but BS propaganda - "This is your brain on drugs."
2. You have an entire industry built for the sole purpose, and supported by, "the war on drugs". Which hasn't even come close to being effective, sucked up major amounts of tax revenue... BUT... provides lots of jobs!
If you can get around those two factors... then you've got your complete legalization in the United States.
If you really take the time to look at this situation, both historically, and currently... meaning the "war on drugs" and why such drugs are illegal in the first place... you'll likely realize it's a case of corruption, corporate greed, monopolies, politics, etc... even racism lies at the very root cause. Panic over what back then they called "Crazed Negros" and also Mexicans, is what fuelled the push for prohibition.
To understand that statement, and perspective, I'll explain briefly... "Americans" were bigoted towards blacks and hispanics, we all know that obviously. Well, blacks brought the marijuana smoking traditions from Jamaica, and Mexicans brought coca traditions from S. America. I guess these were strange concepts here at one time. In any case, these practices caught on and gained popularity... and ultimately was used as fuel in the racial issues of the day. In the sense that, when minorities consumed these drugs, they'd rape, murder, and pillage... in some sort of drug induced frenzy. Hence the coined term "Crazed Negros". The term
"Saturday Night Special" was also coined at that time. I'm betting most people didn't know it's a racially inspired term, eh?
Meanwhile, DuPont wanted to replace hemp with nylon and make millions... thus began the payoffs, common practice of the day. Pot is still illegal, and nylon still sells, with DuPont still making millions.
I'm amazed by it all, really... and whats worse is that it's still allowed to continue. IMHO enough is enough... and while we're at it, I'd also like to know who killed JFk, but I digress.