Drugs now legal in Mexico

[fitzov]

Originally posted by: chcarnage

Originally posted by: fitzov

Originally posted by: BlancoNino
I think drugs should be legal. Free up our prisons and let everyone kill themselves with hard drugs. Natural punishment.

In the late 19th century the Chinese did that with Opium. Basically setup state-sanctioned opium dens. It worked.

China was forced to accept Opium in the Opium Wars. The Britons and other Western colonial powers wanted to export Opium because of their trade deficit with China. And the consequences were far-reaching and in some aspects devastating for China.

There are examples of legalisation or decriminalisation of drug use that were successful to a certain degree (weed in some countries, Heroine programs in Switzerland) but given its origin and consequences, Opium in China is absolutely not in this category.

It plainly is. Read some of the information here relating China's history with opium. Particulary the areas where they specifically discuss the failure of China's ban on opium, and the success of China's legalization of opium in terms of dealing with addiction.

I will admit, however, that their success in the late 1800s was mainly an economic one. Previously, opium was illegal but imported from India and Turkey. After it became legal, local farmers eventually outgrew and eliminated foreign import to become the worlds largest source of opium. It wasn't until the brutal crackdown on the trade after the communists took over that China's addiction problem was virtually eliminated.

I think there are valuable lessons to be learned for the US here. By banning drugs here we import them from Mexico. Now that drugs are legal there it will be even harder to prevent the trade. If we legalize them here there will be an increase in addiction, but at least the funds won't be going to Mexican, Columbian, etc. drug lords.

 

[chcarnage]

Originally posted by: fitzov

Originally posted by: chcarnage

Originally posted by: fitzov

Originally posted by: BlancoNino
I think drugs should be legal. Free up our prisons and let everyone kill themselves with hard drugs. Natural punishment.

In the late 19th century the Chinese did that with Opium. Basically setup state-sanctioned opium dens. It worked.

China was forced to accept Opium in the Opium Wars. The Britons and other Western colonial powers wanted to export Opium because of their trade deficit with China. And the consequences were far-reaching and in some aspects devastating for China.

There are examples of legalisation or decriminalisation of drug use that were successful to a certain degree (weed in some countries, Heroine programs in Switzerland) but given its origin and consequences, Opium in China is absolutely not in this category.

It plainly is. Read some of the information here relating China's history with opium. Particulary the areas where they specifically discuss the failure of China's ban on opium, and the success of China's legalization of opium in terms of dealing with addiction.

That is a large text, could you please be more specific in your claim that China's decriminalisation of opium (not that they did it voluntarily) was a success? Which criteria do you use?

To discuss the effectivity of China's opium bans looks like a waste of time to me, given the fact that after the Second Opium War, 27 percent of the male workforce became addicts (according to your text).

And the overall drug consumation is my main indicator to judge the effectiveness of a drug policy. Some may disagree but I think that even liberal drug laws should exist to prevent the abuse of drugs. Overuse is a common form of abuse (to which degree depends on the drug), therefor the overall drug consumation gives us a hint how much abuse there is. And the peak of 27 percent of the male population smells like abuse to me.

If you have an other criteria for drug policy success, let me know.

Edit Looks like you have a dollar-centered point of view on this. I doubt that this perspective is sufficient to declare either China's situation in the late 19th century a success or to figure out Mexico's motives for drug legalisation.

 

[Stunt]

Decriminalizing is not legalization.

It allows the authorities to target trafficers, and dealers (notice "for personal use"), this will have a far bigger impact than slapping joe blow with a $100 fine for a little bit of mary j. It's called moving up the supply chain, and leaving the little fish, you really think a fine will deter people from doing drugs? Do you really think we can afford to jail all people who do illicit drugs?

 

[AAjax]

Originally posted by: nutxo

Originally posted by: Tab
:thumbsup: Horray for freedom.

LOL, Not a lot of experience in Mexico I see.

LOL, no friggin doubt.

Of course they will not offer these "freedoms" to foreign nationals making them an even bigger target for extortion

 

[zanieladie]

I think it's a BAD thing and is going to have extremely negative effects on the US.

 

[Googer]

Originally posted by: jrenz
Mexico has laws? Learn something every day I guess.

They sure do and here is one of their better laws.

 

[dmcowen674]

Originally posted by: zanieladie
I think it's a BAD thing and is going to have extremely negative effects on the US.

Maybe a ton of Americans Druggies will go to Mexico and stay there.

 

[OFFascist]

Originally posted by: zanieladie
I think it's a BAD thing and is going to have extremely negative effects on the US.

And the current drug war is such a great thing for all American citizens? :roll:

 

[Udel]

Originally posted by: Tab
:thumbsup: Horray for freedom.

:thumbsup:

 

[Drift3r]

We really shouldn't blame Mexico for our own long lasting drug habit as a nation. The "war on drugs" was and is a failure period and has become a huge industry for companies looking to sell U.S. law enforcement very expensive equipment. Massive funding of drug rehab centers and a honest view on why people do drugs is what we need. Of course "The War On Drugs" is a industry with influence in D.C. and you will never see rational points of view develop that might effect the corporate bottom line that depend on this war.

 

[the Chase]

Originally posted by: Drift3r
We really shouldn't blame Mexico for our own long lasting drug habit as a nation. The "war on drugs" was and is a failure period and has become a huge industry for companies looking to sell U.S. law enforcement very expensive equipment. Massive funding of drug rehab centers and a honest view on why people do drugs is what we need. Of course "The War On Drugs" is a industry with influence in D.C. and you will never see rational points of view develop that might effect the corporate bottom line that depend on this war.

I agree. The only thing that may sway our government to legalize drugs is if we told them that they could tax the hell out if it. Even as much as gasoline. Might see some fast action from Capital Hill from both parties.

 

[1EZduzit]

Originally posted by: the Chase

Originally posted by: Drift3r
We really shouldn't blame Mexico for our own long lasting drug habit as a nation. The "war on drugs" was and is a failure period and has become a huge industry for companies looking to sell U.S. law enforcement very expensive equipment. Massive funding of drug rehab centers and a honest view on why people do drugs is what we need. Of course "The War On Drugs" is a industry with influence in D.C. and you will never see rational points of view develop that might effect the corporate bottom line that depend on this war.

I agree. The only thing that may sway our government to legalize drugs is if we told them that they could tax the hell out if it. Even as much as gasoline. Might see some fast action from Capital Hill from both parties.

As much as gasoline? Get real, try as much as cigarettes. How many dollars worth of tobacco are in a $4 pack of cigs?

 

[Pepsei]

hmmm, it is cheaper to go to mexico for vacation compare to europe... sign me up.

 

[fitzov]

Originally posted by: 1EZduzit

Originally posted by: the Chase

Originally posted by: Drift3r
We really shouldn't blame Mexico for our own long lasting drug habit as a nation. The "war on drugs" was and is a failure period and has become a huge industry for companies looking to sell U.S. law enforcement very expensive equipment. Massive funding of drug rehab centers and a honest view on why people do drugs is what we need. Of course "The War On Drugs" is a industry with influence in D.C. and you will never see rational points of view develop that might effect the corporate bottom line that depend on this war.

I agree. The only thing that may sway our government to legalize drugs is if we told them that they could tax the hell out if it. Even as much as gasoline. Might see some fast action from Capital Hill from both parties.

As much as gasoline? Get real, try as much as cigarettes. How many dollars worth of tobacco are in a $4 pack of cigs?

Bingo. One of the reasons the feds are so adamant about keeping pot illegal, however, is that it is very easy to grow yourself--much easier than either alcohol or tobacco.