Should drugs be legalised?

[Ghostrider]

I dont think there is much point in debating this any more, the law absolutely is not going to change under any modern UK government, it will never change ever, that is a hard fact (unless we go independent so we can decide).

 

I don't know, twenty years ago, ten years ago even, the letter like the one in the Shetland News would never have been accepted for publishing, and if it had seen the light of day it would have immediately brought a massive backlash of condemnation. Attitudes, opinions, and most importantly realisation and acceptance of the realities of the situation are moving forward, albeit slower than the sun on the wall, but they are moving in the direction of change.

 

IMHO, and as is reflected in the poll on this thread, the public is currently very much divided 50/50 in to polar opposite camps, 20 years ago I'd say the same poll in Shetland would have come back at least 70/30 for the status quo. In many ways it could be argued that current legislation simply reflects the dividedness of the public, the right noises are made and enough "results" are obtained to appeased the "ban" camp, while at the same time enough trade and usage goes on to appease the "legalisation" camp.

 

If the government were convinced a majority of the voting public were in the "legalisation" camp, I'm pretty sure they'd be tripping over themselves to put legislation in place to legalise and regulate it. Weighed down with taxes, and strangled in red tape no doubt, just like tobacco sales, which would, again like tobacco sales, ensure something of a black market remained, but it would be a step in the right direction at least. It might take another 20-30 years or more to get to that necessary majority, or it might takes weeks if some of the gutter press saw it as a sales winner and went on a crusade, but its inevitably headed in that direction one way or another.

[KOYAANISQATSI]

Why do you need your drugs? Adolescent curosity I understand, but come on, grow up! What on earth could drugs possibly do for you that you can not source elsewhere from less damaging sources?

 

1. My adolescent curiosity hasn't had a look in for over twenty years now.

 

2. I dont smoke with my kids in the room and have explained to the elder.

I don't want to see any kid start on cannabis, even less so the fags, but at some point it will be their choice and I just hope I have advised them correctly about the pitfalls of suchlike ventures.

I don't see what good giving me a heafty fine or jailing me and dragging my name through the mud would do for them, or why you think this is the right thing to do.

 

Why do you need your drugs?

 

I dont ask you; why do you masterbate or how often, do I ?

I would feel like I was sticking my nose in where it may not be wanted and what damn business of mine would it be anyway.

[sassermaet]

I've always wondered if cannabis should in fact be legalised, but have an age restriction on it like tobacco and alcohol do.

 

The only people I know who've ever used cannabis have done so responsibly.

 

Also made me think of this, from a few years back:

 

http://www.thehempire.com/index.php/cannabis/news/826/

[Mag]

Extract from 'Open Door', the quarterly magazine of the MS Trust:

 

Cannabis laws to be tightened

In May, the Government announced that from 2009 cannabis will be reclassified as a Class B drug. Although it is envisaged that warnings will be issued for first offences, tougher action is expected for further convictions and the maximum penalty for possession will rise to five years in prison.

 

The decision goes against the advice of the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs - a panel of scientists and health experts - which said it had uncovered no new evidence of health dangers beyond the known "probable, but weak, causal" link between cannabis use and psychotic illness.

 

Whilst the MS Trust does not encourage people to break the law, we are concerned that people will be criminalised whose only interest in the drug is to help manage their symptoms.

[KOYAANISQATSI]

never mind the anxiety wives have to deal with waiting for their husbands stashes to arrive through the post - is it going to be the postie or the police? I doubt any of these incidents made any "statistics".

 

Let me just get this straight; you're saying that "wife X" is stressed out waiting to see if "husband X's" pot is going to make it through without getting them busted and so this is proof that making it legal is going to make her anxiety over the cops turning up on her door even greater.

 

It would make good stercus tauri statistics, if any.

[khitajrah]

2. I dont smoke with my kids in the room and have explained to the elder.

I'm sure you've done it very well. The "do as I say and not as I do" talks really do work wonders these days, don't they.

[khitajrah]

 

Whilst the MS Trust does not encourage people to break the law, we are concerned that people will be criminalised whose only interest in the drug is to help manage their symptoms.

 

There is no reason why MS sufferers can't be given cannabis on prescription to manage their symptoms. Heroin is illegal yet diamorphine is given to patients as they need it. That's a different kettle of fish entirely.

[khitajrah]

...and so this is proof that making it legal is going to make her anxiety over the cops turning up on her door even greater.

Pardon? Where did this come from?

 

I was merely illustrating some of the other effects cannabis use may have on other, law abiding, family members.

[Fjool]

There is no reason why MS sufferers can't be given cannabis on prescription to manage their symptoms.

Who grows it? How is it processed? Most likely this 'medicine' takes the form of an expensive pill produced by Galaxo-Smith-Kline (or such), for approximately a thousand times the cost of the raw material. End result, we (tax payers) pour money into big pharmaceutical companies out of some misguided attempt to prevent people using the same thing to enjoy themselves too.

 

Yes, diamorphine is used palliatively, but there's a shortage and has been for quite a while. Meanwhile Afghan poppy crops are being raised, leaving farmers without a source of income. Good stuff, eh?!

 

The financial burden - to honest folks - of the so-called 'war on drugs' is enormous.

[khitajrah]

^^ Why couldn't MS sufferers grow it themselves? Pop a few seeds in some soil, the lighting, whatever else is needed for a small plant on the windowsill (ok, I've never grown it I'm sure it's a bit more complicated than that, especially in this northern climate). It needs no refining. No middle man. No problem.

 

I admit I don't know enough about heroin problem to comment.

[Fjool]

Exactly! Why couldn't they? Would be brilliant. Problem is that you then make them the target of burglary, ostracism, suspicion and pressure to supply those who don't have a prescription but want a high. What if they provide a small amount to a friend? Send them to prison for dealing? They'd need watching carefully to make sure that they didn't abuse this 'privilege'.

 

I was merely illustrating some of the other effects cannabis use may have on other, law abiding, family members.

Actually, you were illustrating the effects of cannabis being illegal.

[KOYAANISQATSI]

The "do as I say and not as I do" talks really do work wonders these days, don't they.

 

Likely not, but then I can not tell anyone what they must do with their future, I can only advise them from my own experience and knowledge, which in this case 'methinks' goes into a considerable ammount more depth than yours, despite what you think you've seen.

 

Now, this is illegal drugs - I'm not talking life-saving pharmaceuticals

 

Ah yes 'them'

 

In 2003, doctors wrote some 19m prescriptions for Seroxat for patients with depression and anxiety in England.

 

Last October Panorama revealed the dark and shocking side of Seroxat, one of the world's favourite anti-depressants.

The feedback to that film was unprecedented with thousands of people contacting the programme.

For many who take the drug it is a tremendous help but in e-mails and phone calls many Panorama viewers said they showed signs of violence, addiction, self-harm and suicide.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/panorama/2310197.stm

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/panorama/2982797.stm

 

In many cases SSRI drug manufacturers have withheld information from the FDA and the public to play down the risks and adverse effects associated with SSRIs. This had led to litigation against many of the pharmaceutical manufacturers of SSRI anti-depressants in cases covering suicidality, SSRI withdrawal and birth defects in neonates from nursing mothers on SSRIs.

Critics of SSRIs claim that the widely-disseminated television and print advertising of SSRIs promotes an inaccurate message, oversimplifying what these medications actually do and deceiving the public.

 

I would have very much liked to introduce you to a personal friend of mine; 'Biz Ivol', unfortunently, she is no longer with us:

 

http://www.ccguide.org.uk/bizivol.php

 

She died, another victim of your crazy war but rest assured there will always be plenty willing to fight as peacefully as possible for the right to make their own choices despite the constant onslaught of those who demand we live as slaves to your ideals and the obscene political motives of those who have their own drug gangs to protect (GSK)

 

I will not comply

"WE WILL NEVER COMPLY"

[khitajrah]

which in this case 'methinks' goes into a considerable ammount more depth than yours, despite what you think you've seen.

 

Please do not presume to know what I have and haven't seen.

 

Now, this is illegal drugs - I'm not talking life-saving pharmaceuticals

 

Yes, life-saving pharmaceuticals like antibiotics, not the "please make me feel better about my lot in life drugs" you have suggested. Besides, as I am aware these prescriptions come with little pieces of paper with fine print in them stating side effects such as depression, anxiety, suicidal tendencies. If you want to take those drugs that's your perogative.

 

...your crazy war

Pardon? You're mistaking me for someone who actually gives a toss. This "war" has nothing to do with me. The only war I have is to keep drugs out of my house and away from my family - something I have managed to achieve thus far. What ever you people do out there is entirely up to yourselves. This is your war - and good luck with that.

[KOYAANISQATSI]

as I am aware these prescriptions come with little pieces of paper with fine print in them stating side effects such as depression, anxiety, suicidal tendencies. If you want to take those drugs that's your perogative.

 

I don't and never have. Why the hell would depression ever be a factor in my life with the fine weed I smoke.

 

"Let us have our cannabis so we aren't forced to go on harder drugs?". No, I don't think so.

 

What ever you people do out there is entirely up to yourselves.

 

You seem to be arguing with yourself over what you want for us.

 

you people

[KOYAANISQATSI]

from another thread:

 

I worry what will happen to my children as they get older as well and want to experience the street for themselves.

 

Yup they're bound to meet with the 'illegal' drug trade, likely through friends, so good luck with that, mind to tell them it's an unregulated jungle that lives outside the law. (because the law chooses to persecute anyone involved)

 

I moved out of Lerwick because of dodgy dealings on my street.

 

As far as drugs go, it is the laws that keep the deals dodgy and many of the dealers even dodgier by the fact the product is illegal.

 

I spent the better part of two years being stalked. I just generally stay home now with the door always locked.

 

If only all those cops were there instead of wasting time and money chasing down everyone with a lump of blo in their pocket.

 

I'm not bothered with interacting with society anymore really. No, I don't feel very safe at all.

 

You seem to suffer some form of obscure paranoia. I do hope you find something that helps you chill a bit.

You are more than welcome to nip round for a coffee anytime if you are looking for somewhere you can relax and feel safe.

As long as the cops don't come and bust the door in that is.