[nathanbedford]

Whether we decriminalize or legalize, whether we provide by prescription or simply over-the-counter, I want the price of currently illegal drugs, together with any tax which might be imposed, to be below a profit level attractive to illegal drug cartels right down to street vendors.

I want the price to be below a level that encourages (rather than virtually requires) addicts to commit crimes (including selling drugs) to pay for drugs.

I want not the possession, sale or use of drugs to be criminal but the behavior caused by drug abuse to be prosecuted.

[Enterprise]

Can’t disagree. Somehow, someway, take the profit out of illegal drugs. I fully understand the grief that families are going to go through when a family member dies from overdosing. But that is an individual’s choice, even if it is not a fully informed or educated choice. But I think it’s time for cities to stop burning because the police are being made the scapegoats for enforcing drug laws.

[VietVetwcm]

It doesn’t work that way. Organized crime (including the old Mafia) is still involved in alcohol sales and as silent partners in night clubs; they even smuggle cigarettes.

My years of working with convicts convinced me that addicts don’t commit crimes to support their drug habits, criminals use and abuse drugs as part of their criminal lifestyle.

On the other claw, most criminals who heavily abuse drugs die young, like before they are 35. Maybe we could allow unrestricted access to and use of drugs as a way to reduce the anti-social part of the population. Think of it as evolution in action.

[zeugma]

I want not the possession, sale or use of drugs to be criminal but the behavior caused by drug abuse to be prosecuted.

Agreed.

[fwdude]

I want the price to be below a level that encourages (rather than virtually requires) addicts to commit crimes (including selling drugs) to pay for drugs.

So, you advocate for price controls, the abolishment of free markets?

We used to call that Communism.