Message 46/83
Date: 04-Nov-02 @ 12:39 PM -
RE: High Time
It seems pretty strange to me that in order for me to understand that the legalize pot campaign is more than just getting high, I need to smoke up. Not a particulartly strong platform, is it.
When my wife was in grad school, she had to write a big paper about drugs. One of the arguments was what Mindspawn talked about, "decriminalization". While I'm not sure that will do any good, either, I really don't like the idea of going from one extreme (the war on drugs where it is OBVIOUSLY a disgusting failure) to the other extreme, where it's completely legalized. I'm not sure what's in the middle, but not something I'm willing to dedicate my life to figuring out.
The problems I've experienced with drugs are things I've seen with MY OWN EYES. Having gotten high (or in this case, not) does in no way invalidate my experience. It's from my OWN EXPERIENCE, that I don't want drugs legalized. One could very easily make the argument that alcohol is a "drug", and I won't debate that. In spite of all the laws, and all the efforst, it is one of the biggest industries in the world, and one that costs the most (in terms of human capital and monetary). If alcohol were to come along outside of the mainstream like drugs, then it too, would probably be illegal.
But there is a difference in that one can have a drink and not get drunk. I do it once or twice a week. I have NEVER seen anyone smoke dope without wanting to get high. Suggesting that I should drink a coke is just off the point. If I wanted a coke, I would drink it. If I want something that tastes like beer, I have a beer. There's no 'get drunk' vs. 'not get drunk'. If I want to get drunk, I have 2 beers. ;-)
Anyhow, I don't think legalization is the answer. It may make says financially, but in the grand scheme of things, do we need another drug in our society like alcohol? With all of the problems that come along with it? I don't think so.