DrugsandLegalization Since early on man has been interested in the
consumption of substances that altered the mind or ones feeling. The
consumption of substances can be broken down into legal and illegal
substances. The question is, who are we to label certain substances
illegal and prohibit others from using them by creating penalties for their
use? If the importation, sale and use of drugs were legal, the open
competition would eliminate the profitability of drug dealing. Without the
economic incentive to commit violent crimes, the violence of drug dealing
would be dramatically reduced. In addition to the elimination of the
economic incentive, the health risk factor would help to reduce the role of
the drug dealer. A potential customer would probably choose to buy a
market-tested productfrom a pharmacy as opposed to buying a product of
unknown dosage and quality from a corner dealer. Without the
advantage of large profits, the drug dealing profession would lose its
luster. A major problem is that teenagers see selling drugs as the only
way to make money. Minimum wage salaries can not compare to the
huge profits associated with dealing. In a drug community, the drug
dealers are seen as the center of the community. They become role
models for the children, replacing their parents. Eliminating the drug
dealer will force these young children into the reality that education is the
way to make money, not selling drugs. N.O.R.M.L (National
Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws)is a fully recognized
organization that lobbies for the removal of criminal penalties for the
individual who uses marijuana in private. Since it is the Americans right to
privacy, personal choice, and individual freedom. Marijuana, in
addition to not being a dangerous drug, has been documented to have
practical medical purposes and environmental purposes. The legalization
of marijuana, a drug that the criminalization of is so impossible to enforce,
would not only not harm society, but could actually benefit it. The
question then becomes, how should legalization be approached? In
addition to legalization, the government must also educate people of the
affects. Legalizing drugs would allow them to be available to those
who would benefit from their medical use and those who would like to use
them as recreational drugs much like alcohol and tobacco are. Research
would also be encouraged as scientists could search for new and
practical uses of drugs. There are many wonderful uses of drugs that
have not yet been identified or perfected because of the strict laws
against them. With expanded research, we could discover these new
possibilities. Of course, some restrictions would have to be set. Likely, an
age restriction would have to be adopted. Restricting the use of drugs to
adults only, and educating the youth of the potential dangers should help
curb adolescent abuse, much like that of alcohol and tobacco. Prohibiting
acts such as driving a vehicle under the influence of a mind-altering
substance would likewise be necessary. Another necessity would be the
destruction of all those with prior criminal records due to the arrest or
conviction on drug-related charges. Of course, the right of the
non-smoker would have to be respected in a public facility, just like
non-smoking areas now days. The legalization could also help the
economy in the revenue collected from taxes.
. use and those who would like to use them as recreational drugs much like alcohol and tobacco are. Research would also be encouraged as scientists could search for new and practical uses of drugs. . legal and illegal substances. The question is, who are we to label certain substances illegal and prohibit others from using them by creating penalties for their use? If the importation, sale and. personal choice, and individual freedom. Marijuana, in addition to not being a dangerous drug, has been documented to have practical medical purposes and environmental purposes. The legalization of