[SoftballMominVA]

Another example of normalizing deviancy

[LowCountryJoe]

Ma'am, without some of the deviancy in recorded history, most of the good in our society that is experienced today would not exist. Didn't the Founding Fathers deviate so that we could be self-governing and throw off a repressive government.

Now, equating drug usage with experienced good is a stretch, I know, but drug enforcement has created some very nasty consequences as this editorial points out. You should actually read it.

[Live and let live conservative]

Another example of normalizing deviancy

In a free society shouldn't one be free to be a deviant provided they aren't infringing on anothers natural rights?

[Protagoras]

Another example of normalizing deviancy

Deviant means differing from the norm.

In every society since the people found substances that could change their mental state, it has unfortunately been the norm.

[Carolina_Thor]

Demcriminalizing is not the same as normalizing. There are all kinds of "deviant" activities that are legal. I don't have a lot of respect for drug users, but I wish we wouldn't have to let a muderer, rapist, pedophile etc. out after a too short a sentence because the prisons are overcrowded with drug offenders. Personally, I would rather have a violent criminal in prison for longer than to have someone with a cargo container full of pot.

[SaveTheChief]

Now you did it. You made all the libertarians pee their pants.

[RobRoy]

>>Another example of normalizing deviancy<<

You could look at it that way. I don't. I see it as legalizing stupid behavior. The cost of making some things illegal (like alcohol) have been devastating to our culture. Just imagine, what on earth would all the cops do if drugs were a fraction of their current cost and taxed to boot.

Really play this forward and think about the ramifications, both positive and negative of keeping drugs illegal, and making them controlled like alcohol.