February 17, 2003 9:39 PM GMT
Here is where I disagree with more than a few of you.
While I cannot present a logical argument against the legalization of one drug, I can see at least reasons why we should not totally leagalize the whole thing.
I'll start with the obvious: It poses a health risk. Not just to the person taking them (and Goddess only knows how things would work if the Feds took over the Drug Trade), but to the rest of society. I wouldn't want the guy in the SUV next to me to be in a PCP high...or my Airline Captain to be strung out on Meth....and suddenly having a bad trip at 35,000 feet.
Too much in our society today requires one to be able to think somewhat clearly.
Another thought: Insurance rates. (Go ahead, laugh.) There must be some thought given to who pays for that person who did just one too many bad trips.
If we allow for legal usage, then there has to be some pretty tight controls on how and when. (I'm thinking of something akin to the old Opium parlors, but run like a bar. Designated Non-Drugger or something.)
Assume responsibility for ourselves? And what exactly are we on today, kids? Now there is an outdated, outmoded way of thinking. Of course we want the Government to come in and coddle us. Hey, it worked for Rome, right? ??? (O-kay, sorry. I need a "dripping with sarcasm" key/font...)
We don't want to take care of ourselves. We want to blame someone, something for the mess we are in. We don't want to be responsible...that means we have to deal with the consequences of our actions. Why do that if we can sue the panties off some rich b@stard? (I really need a "dripping with sarcasm" key/font...) Never mind...I'll just get even more b*tchy with this.
Now, to the one drug they might as well legalize and get it over with: Marajuana. When I was a teenage girl, in my home state at that time, 3oz or less got you a $25 ticket. That's about two joints worth...maybe.
Now, I have not done the hard drug thing. I admit to trying some Marajuana when I was in High School...and yes, I inhaled. :
But I didn't use it often enough to even buy any. (In fact, most of my use of it was limited to a few weeks in the late spring of my Junior year.)
Do I want the Feds in the Drug business? Not really. They can't even run a railroad! Would you trust these people to get it right?
I don't think so.
Luv 'n hugs,
Jayne Sakura
"Almost-Angel, T-Girl Genius, and Ultra-Flirt"
PS--For an interesting read on government control on the taking of drugs, go back and read THX-1138, by Ben Bova. (If you watch the movie, you won't "get it".)