I wonder, is the WOD another gov't creation that is 'too big to fail'? Are we doomed to perpetual futility in waging what amounts to a war on personal freedom?
Many supporters of the WOD point out that drug users are often dangerous characters, especially the coke and meth addicts. True, I will concede. However, if they did not have to rob and kill to support their habit, if drug gangs were put out of business by legal distributors, wouldn't most drug users be far less likely to commit violent crimes?
It's no secret that many career criminals, thieves and burglars for example, like to get themselves 'coked up' or high on meth, as it gives them the balls to do the crimes and calms their fears. However, just like guns, criminals will ALWAYS be able to get their drug of choice.
My strand of the argument against the WOD is to point out that ending it will not produce a perfect world, just a better one. And I would suggest an incremental approach. First, repeal all Federal laws against marijuana. Let the states, like CA and many others, have what they have wanted for a long time: legalization for private consumption. Then sit back and scientifically assess the results. If it withers drug trafficking in marijuana, and reduces police work and frees up prison space for violent criminals, good!
Then try issuing licenses to those who want to use the more dangerous 'white drugs' - cocaine, meth and heroin. But make them register as a user, and restrict their freedom to drive a car and have custody of children. No coke head or meth freak should be allowed those privileges. If someone uses without the above license and restrictions, throw the book at them. I have no sympathy for them. Offer programs to get unhooked and abstain. Not all white drug users will accept these restrictions, but some will. The remaining hard-core cases, who want to blow white drugs and do violent crime, would be easier to isolate and deal with.
The gist of the above suggestions is to stop confusing the 19-year-old pot dealer with the hard core thugs who like to get high on serious drugs and commit violent crimes.
These are my suggestions and I know they deserve a lot of scrutiny and constructive criticism, but it's a start. So if you respond, please do so in an educated, rational manner. No canards please!
FIRST end the welfare state, at least for anyone who is going to use these substances. Pay your own way if you are going to make this choice.
SECOND the federal government has no oversight in this matter. Defeat the laws on a constitutional level. They can claim federal drug laws but it took a constitutional amendment to ban alcohol.
And don't just sell a puff piece about maryjane. Either all drugs are legal (including heroin, LSD, crack, and "cancer" and "AIDS" cures) or there is still law enforcement screening drug sales/use.
The commander in chief admittedly used cocaine in his youth. He says he gave it up but he made the same claim about tobacco.
Would the use of cocaine (a licensed drug under your scheme) be automatic grounds for refusal of government employment?