Should drugs be legalized in the United States?

The goal of this team effort is not to answer this question. Rather, it's to decide on what specific questions we might need to ask, and what research we might need to do if we were to answer this drug legalization question in a reasonable and rational way.



In addition, to what degree might some people's emotions, either because they might oppose the legalization of drugs or they might support it, be in danger of coloring their potential answer?

People are always 'colored' by their emotions. My colors go deeply 'red, white, and blue' when the question of freedom is presented. I believe a credible argument can be made that drug laws in the U.S. are too restrictive based upon the number of prosecutions and incarcerations, and costs associated with current law. A reasonable recreational drug law would go a long way toward restoring a measure of freedom in this country that we used to enjoy and need to rediscover.

Hello becky:

Nice to meet you. The introduction page isn't a place for a question like this. However, I understand how confusing the site is to new people. Somebody will be along shortly to move it.

In any case, it's a good question. Of course drugs should be legalized. What degree will peoples emotions play in the discussion?? Well, their emotions, and nothing OTHER than their emotions, has caused drugs to be illegal for the last 80 or so years. There is NO rational reason to keep drugs illegal. It's purely an EMOTIONAL issue.

excon

Hello again, becky:

If you're looking for a reasoned rational example of why drugs should be legal, you need to look no further than our very own experience with prohibition in the 20's.

They said alcohol caused crime, just like they're saying drugs cause crime. But, we know alcohol doesn't cause crime. I had a beer last night. It didn't make me want to rob a 7/Eleven.

Prohibition causes crime. How do we know that? Because after we made alcohol legal again, the alcohol crimes disappeared.

I can go on, and I probably will as the discussion develops.

excon

Hi, becky384!

Greetings and WELCOME to the site! I just moved your question that you had posted in Introductions to this topic area so that it would get more exposure. It had already gotten some responses where it was, but will likely get even more in this topic area. Introductions is for people to introduce themselves and we try to not ask questions there.

We would appreciate it if you would return to Introductions sometime to tell us a little about yourself though, if you would be willing to do that.

Thanks!