Do you support legal drug use?

SSG Ed Mikus — Tue, 19 Apr 2016 15:26:23 -0400

Drug enforcement and use has been a problem for centuries. Is it time to shift gears and become more permissive with these habits?

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/04/19/world/global-debate-over-war-on-drugs-heads-to-un-general-assembly.html?_r=0

Global Debate Over War on Drugs Heads to U.N. General Assembly

A growing insurgency against strict international antidrug treaties will help shape a historic debate at the United Nations this week among world leaders.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 19 at 2016 3:33 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 19 Apr 2016 15:33:29 -0400

I believe it should be legal, but a disqualifier for many jobs including military service, law enforcement, commercial driving and the like.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 19 at 2016 3:38 PM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 19 Apr 2016 15:38:08 -0400

No, I do not support drug use. Drug use is not the answer to anyone's problems.

Response by CPT Jack Durish made Apr 19 at 2016 3:39 PM

CPT Jack Durish — Tue, 19 Apr 2016 15:39:30 -0400

This is not a new opinion for me. Absolutely, we need to legalize drugs. However, with the caveat that users will be held fully accountable for their actions while under the influence. Sadly, when we ended the prohibition on alcohol, we returned to the legal philosophy of reduced accountability by virtue of diminished capacity. On the contrary, I would hold users accountable as though they acted with malice aforethought inasmuch as the use of the drug (and also alcohol) is voluntary and the user must be assumed to know that they will suffer diminished capacity while under the influence.

I won't waste anyone's time recounting the irreparable harm to society by prohibition as well as its failure to accomplish its intended goals.

Response by MAJ Rene De La Rosa made Apr 19 at 2016 3:39 PM

MAJ Rene De La Rosa — Tue, 19 Apr 2016 15:39:36 -0400

With the marijuana issue in Colorado and Washington state, there are a number of countries that are hesitant to deal with us due to the laizze faire leadership that we have provided (a hands off approach with the followers making the rules and following them). This is akin to allowing the fox in the chicken coop. There should a continuation of drug interdiction with more severe penalties for trafficking.

Response by LTC Stephen F. made Apr 19 at 2016 3:48 PM

LTC Stephen F. — Tue, 19 Apr 2016 15:48:00 -0400

SSG Ed Mikus I do not support the legalization of either Heroin or Cocaine. In the 19th century both were legal. The opium wars were caused when Britain and other western powers used military force to combat China's attempt to wean the Chinese people from their opium habits.
I am all too familiar with heroin and cocaine use. If those drugs are legalized the emergency rooms will see an increase without any stigma attached to overdose victims who could keep coming back until their last fatal overdose.

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 19 at 2016 3:53 PM

PO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 19 Apr 2016 15:53:18 -0400

I don't want to open an can of beans on this...but this is just my opinion and I know that others will have questions. It maybe ignorance on my behalf but just hear me out.

This is one difficult aspect to take into perspective. With the idea of marijuana used for medicinal purposes, it has proven useful. This, being a natural ingredient that is used for many different aspects (textiles, clothing, etc.) I don't see the other reasons to have other drugs be consumed. Cocaine has been used in the past (Coca-Cola anyone?) and Opiates, but I don't really see that drugs as a way to help myself in society, my career or my way of life. With other drugs like heroin, cocaine, meth, etc. there poses too much risk compared to marijuana. There are too many man-made products that have causes more havoc than help. Plus we have to reverse the addiction with more drugs thus putting one into the ring of drugs of several kinds that have side-effects on top of the withdrawal of the original drug.

If cocaine and opiates (since it does come natural from plants) I would want to see some type of newer research done that would provide a benefit to those that have illnesses that need those types of drugs. There would also have to be a HUGE limit on how it's consumed and how much to help with the significant issue.

If someone were to over indulge (and there's a risk of it) they would be accountable 100% of their actions and would be dealt accordingly.

Response by LTC Dallas Powell made Apr 19 at 2016 3:54 PM

LTC Dallas Powell — Tue, 19 Apr 2016 15:54:20 -0400

There is no good reason why America should keep dumping money down the bottomless pit that is the war on drugs. One need only to look to Portugal's example to know that legalization works. Instead of wasting billions on hunting traffickers and incarcerating users like we do, Portugal spends their money on rehab and preventing addiction. Despite the nay-sayers, all the indicators went down -- crime rate, addiction rate, and yes, even usage.

And our states that have legalized recreational use now have more money than they know what to do with.

Response by SGT Jerrold Pesz made Apr 19 at 2016 3:55 PM

SGT Jerrold Pesz — Tue, 19 Apr 2016 15:55:56 -0400

We need to either legalize drugs or institute the death penalty for ALL drug offenses. Anything in between is simply wasting time and money. We spend billions per year of the so-called "war on drugs" and all that we have done is waste money, promote organized crime and fill our jails with non-violent offenders. We learned nothing from prohibition.

Response by PFC Alexander Oliveira made Apr 19 at 2016 4:08 PM

PFC Alexander Oliveira — Tue, 19 Apr 2016 16:08:30 -0400

I support the legalization of marijuana for both medicinal and recreational purposes. ive never touched the stuff but I see no harm in those who do use it. I think it should be legalized and controlled like alcohol. no one under 21, no driving under the influence, the whole 9. coke and heroin on the other hand, I do not support because I see no benefit in their legalization. I could be wrong. i read somewhere that Portugal legalized all drugs and things changed. so maybe im wrong. almost half the country allows medicinal marijuana and it wont be long before they all support it for both medicinal and recreational usage as well.

Response by SPC Andrew Griffin made Apr 19 at 2016 4:09 PM

SPC Andrew Griffin — Tue, 19 Apr 2016 16:09:37 -0400

I don't support anything that will LEAD to ADDICTION!

Response by PFC Joseph . Sheffield made Apr 19 at 2016 4:16 PM

PFC Joseph . Sheffield — Tue, 19 Apr 2016 16:16:08 -0400

My only response is that the USA should crack down on all drugs no matter where they come from

Response by CPT Joseph K Murdock made Apr 19 at 2016 4:27 PM

CPT Joseph K Murdock — Tue, 19 Apr 2016 16:27:21 -0400

Seattle salmon have cocaine, anti depressants, and nicotine as well. It is true, pot is a gateway drug.

Response by Maj Kevin "Mac" McLaughlin made Apr 19 at 2016 4:30 PM

Maj Kevin "Mac" McLaughlin — Tue, 19 Apr 2016 16:30:08 -0400

Illegal drugs should not be legalized for recreational use. Period... Those who argue that some could be used for medicinal purposes, that's fine. Once they clear the system and are approved for prescription by a licensed physician, they are by definition a legal drug (which requires a prescription of course).

Response by Sgt David G Duchesneau made Apr 19 at 2016 4:38 PM

Sgt David G Duchesneau — Tue, 19 Apr 2016 16:38:32 -0400

You got to be shitting me right? Why would I support legal drug use? Don't we have enough problems with alcohol which is legal and how many people die everyday because they abuse the shit out of it? Don't we have enough drunk drivers out on our roadways now without all the ass holes who are also on drugs? I mean, WTF-Over!

Response by SFC J Fullerton made Apr 19 at 2016 4:53 PM

SFC J Fullerton — Tue, 19 Apr 2016 16:53:38 -0400

Yes, with limits. Marijuana should be legal and be taken off the schedule 1 list and be fully legalized for medical and recreational use and decriminalized nationwide. Regulate and tax the crap out of. Just like after Prohibition, the criminal activity ceased to exist. Illegal growers and street dealers evading taxes will be run out of business with legal pot stores just like the moonshiners and bootleggers were. News Flash-90% of the weed in the U.S. is grown here in the U.S. Its not a choice of foreign smugglers anymore because the market is saturated with homegrown that is of better quality and readily available. The most significant criminal act is the tax evasion by American pot farmers and street dealers. However, Absolutely not with cocaine and heroin. These drugs are produced in other countries and smuggled in, and many cases the profits are funding terrorism and other criminal activity or oppression of the people forced into labor to produce it. These drugs are dangerous and have no use in society. It is pretty much widely accepted that Marijuana is no more dangerous than alcohol, and for many reasons does not pose the same threats as the other schedule 1 drugs.

Response by Alan K. made Apr 19 at 2016 5:01 PM

Alan K. — Tue, 19 Apr 2016 17:01:22 -0400

Maybe marijuana for pain so people don't have to take that crap oxycontin.....But that's about it. It should be treated as a prescription drug I guess.

Response by Cpl Mark McMiller made Apr 19 at 2016 5:29 PM

Cpl Mark McMiller — Tue, 19 Apr 2016 17:29:25 -0400

I don't support drug use because I think it ruins lives. But I think people should be free to ruin their lives if they want to, so we should not be wasting tax payer dollars to prosecute and house people in prison for it.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 19 at 2016 5:37 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 19 Apr 2016 17:37:23 -0400

Decriminalize it all but not a single solitary taxpayer cent for treatment or rehab.

Who should be able to tell a free man what they can or can't do. That said, the inevitable consequences are nobodies fault but the user.

Liberty and individual freedom, always!

Response by SFC Marcus Belt made Apr 19 at 2016 6:12 PM

SFC Marcus Belt — Tue, 19 Apr 2016 18:12:24 -0400

It seems ludicrous to me that a government can legislate what a person puts into their own bodies. If that is indeed the case, then one owns literally nothing.

Do I want to use drugs? No. But the absolutely absurd amounts of money the US spends on the "War on Drugs" could be better spent elsewhere. Like a casino for all the return on investment it has generated.

Legalize, or at the very least, decriminalize small amounts and let's move on. Marijuana is mostly illegal and yet almost anyone can get whatever they want, whenever they want. Except in most places, those who have a medical need cannot get it. Our entire approach is backwards and authoritarian, and almost completely lacking in common sense or compassion.

Alcohol is legal--mostly--but not everyone is an alcoholic. Prohibitions tend to be empty holes into which governments throw money.

Legalize drugs and let's move on.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 19 at 2016 8:08 PM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 19 Apr 2016 20:08:22 -0400

Smart people do not use drugs. So let's say we make it legal. Do you want someone high on drugs providing you with any goods or services? I do not. Name companies that will hire people that are drug users. There will be few if any, because these will be employees that you can not depend on. With the liability issue, companies will not hire drug users. These folks will need to resort to crime to get the money to buy the drugs. We are sentencing these folks to an eventual death sentence.

Response by Capt Richard I P. made Apr 19 at 2016 11:27 PM

Capt Richard I P. — Tue, 19 Apr 2016 23:27:18 -0400

Yep.

Response by SFC William Farrell made Apr 20 at 2016 12:13 AM

SFC William Farrell — Wed, 20 Apr 2016 00:13:54 -0400

No, no, no!

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 20 at 2016 7:59 AM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 20 Apr 2016 07:59:03 -0400

I think the question is oddly worded. Do I support the personal use of drugs that are legal? Yes. Do I support the legalization of drugs? Depends heavily on the drug. In general, with all but the most harmful drugs, I support decriminalization (the lessening or removal of criminal penalties, but still allows significant limits to be placed), and even on those few I still support fair sentencing standards. But, for decriminalization to work, we need a culture shift in how we think of substance abuse and addiction, followed by a significant growth in the mental and physical health sectors to accommodate the treatment of those who need it.

Response by PO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 20 at 2016 8:12 AM

PO3 Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 20 Apr 2016 08:12:45 -0400

just let states decide ... that is my stand ...

Response by PO3 Steven Sherrill made Apr 20 at 2016 9:41 AM

PO3 Steven Sherrill — Wed, 20 Apr 2016 09:41:48 -0400

SSG Ed Mikus I think that we need to make the illicit drugs legal, overturn drug convictions, tax drugs like alcohol and tobacco, and put the same legal restrictions that are put on alcohol as far as age, operation of machinery, etc... We have been fighting a "war on drugs" since the 80's that has had no lasting effects.
fiscally, we are spending 15 Billion dollars a year on something that has no chance of succeeding. It is the law enforcement equivalent of the F-35, a hole that they throw money into. The amount spent comes out to $500 per second being spent on the useless drug war. Additionally, the legalization of currently illicit drugs would open up new businesses. Tax revenue would be increased. Agriculture would suddenly have a new source of revenue. The new businesses would lead to new and varied companies in the stock markets, or at the least a diversity in the pharmaceutical industry.
From a social perspective, we have the highest prison population on the planet. We have overcrowded and underfunded prisons. If those in on drug related charges were to be released, that would go a long way to alleviating that problem.
Now, the biggest problem out of the gate with legalizing drugs, and overturning convictions is that it would add roughly two million workers into the job market. This would cause a spike in unemployment that would drive the markets crazy. There would also be potential push back from those in the drug trade. Some of these folks are multi billionaires just off of the illicit product. They could react violently to the sudden devaluing of their product. Even if they began processing for legal consumption, the price would drop, and a great deal would go to taxes. Once the initial culture shock wears off, I think that the legalization of drugs would be no worse for society than alcohol. The majority of users would be upstanding citizens, but you would have the few shitbags, as with every cultural subset, that make people want all banned.

Response by SGT David T. made Apr 20 at 2016 6:07 PM

SGT David T. — Wed, 20 Apr 2016 18:07:27 -0400

I wont say I support it necessarily, but I do think that we waste way too much money on enforcement. I really don't care what someone chooses to do as long as they do not harm others in the process. If they do, they should be hammered.

Response by Maj Mike I. made Apr 22 at 2016 6:22 PM

Maj Mike I. — Fri, 22 Apr 2016 18:22:03 -0400

These drugs are ILLEGAL for a reason. There are plenty of stupid people that aren't on drugs. Stop financing terror!

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 31 at 2016 9:52 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 31 Aug 2016 09:52:06 -0400

I sure do. If someone wants to make the *CHOICE* to put something knowingly harmful into their bodies, who am I to stop them? With any luck, they'll OD and cease being a problem to society.