Yeah, that "Soldier's disease" thing is just utterly far-fetched, isn't it?
I know you feel that 19th century China is a near perfect analogue for 21st century America ...
Stop misstating what I said. I said Human Chinese are exactly like Human Americans. I utterly reject the dodge that culture plays a role in addiction. (Que that idiot to trot out his stupid quote on this point.)
Biochemistry is what causes addiction. If the chemicals don't bond with human receptors, no addiction to them occurs. Human Americans are the same humans as human Chinese. Stop trying to argue i'm saying something different.
...but what do you make of this from Forbes Magazine?
http://www.forbes.com/sites/erikkain/2011/07/05/ten-years-after-decriminalization-drug-abuse-down-by-half-in-portugal/
Forbes is a Libertarian, not Conservative entity. So is Cato, and so is "Reason", and so are a lot of other groups. They report things that support their Libertarian claims, and ignore things which do not.
It's funny that they think the statements made by the Socialist government of Portugal are worthy of notice when they concern drugs, but on economic policy? Not so much.
Yes, another Socialist government reporting that their new policies are working splendidly. Pardon me if I don't put much credibility into the things they say.
That report has been debunked by doctors in Portugal who treat drug addiction victims. I used to have a link to it. Let me see if I can find it.
I think this is it, but they won't let you read the article for free anymore. Here's a different article on the topic. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2815084/Portugal-decriminalised-drugs-Results-Use-teens-doubled-decade-nearly-fifth-15-16-year-olds-using-drugs.html
Liberal Democrats held up Portugal as shining example on 'drugs war'
But since legalisation the number of children users has more than doubled
In 1995 8% of teenagers had tried drugs but after new law it rose to 19%
More children under 13 have also tried cannabis since laws were relaxed
Wow. Imagine that. You legalize something, and usage increases. Who would have guessed that making something easier to get would result in more usage?
This is real rocket science here.
I’ve invalidated your comical attempt to use 19th century China as a warning for 21st century America. I gave you valid citations for current legalization efforts in a western country and the results obtained therein. I explained clearly the abysmal failure of the current US policy, its cost and its dangerous impact on what’s left of our Constitution. I explained that I feel alcohol, complicit in 100,000 US deaths each year and tobacco, complicit in 400,000 deaths each year are and should be legal because adults get to make that choice. I have remained civil because I am right. You’ve become snarky because you have almost no valid points to make and lack the reasoning skill to present the few bits you do have.
Shortly the US will legalize marijuana in all or most states, very probably. We can compare notes then. I look forward to it.