Pot Seized
by Mr. Ogre on Nov 6, 2010 at 14:49 Political
So, did you hear the “great” news that tons of pot has been seized? Reports I’ve seen vary from 10 tons to 30 tons (now Adam will argue I’m a liar, but who cares?). Don’t you feel safe, now that all that pot is off the street? After all, it was around $20 million worth of drugs. And heck, the US only spent around $40 billion this year (so far) on the drug war to do such things. Isn’t it wonderful that in today’s economy we can continue to spend literally tens of billions of dollars collecting this natural, safe plant?
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“…now Adam will argue I’m a liar, but who cares?”
In all honesty I apologize for calling you a liar simply for repeating something that is not true. I should be careful not to do that.
Regardless, it WAS a LOT of pot- and Mr. O is right in the fact (implied, but quietly) that our war on drugs is not working out well- not really much bang for the buck.
What I would do would be to legalize the growing of a personal amount, but DEEPLY CRIMINALIZE the dealing of drugs.
As far as addicts (heroin, crack, etc.), I would give them three bites at the apple, in an effort to break their habit before I would give them prison time, but after three times, I would assume that they were terminally stupid, and prison time they would get.
All dealers would get LIFE, NO PAROLE- after awhile, the word would get out, and no mo’ dealers.
I can’t see that more incarceration is a good answer for the fight against drugs. We already incarcerate far more people than any other country in the world. Perhaps if the changes you want came with reductions in the incarceration rate for possession. That may be what you meant anyway, but I would get on board with that for the most part. Except for the part about locking people up for addiction. That’s just insane.
I guess you did not read my post- I have advocated treatment for addicts (at least three tries-) BEFORE there is any jail time, but the dealers are another story, and if you have any sympathy for drug DEALERS, it is EXTREMELY misplaced.
Anyone who deals should be dealt with harshly- it is about time we had laws with some teeth in them, and used these laws against those who deserve it, and drug dealers do- with them it is not about addiction, it is about preying on those addicts who have no control- a captive audience, and one that is akin to a form of slavery.
You know, Blake, I used to hold the position you describe (relating to dealers).
But today, I have to strongly oppose that position. In my opinion, the war on drugs is lost. We need to stop. While I’m not saying that drugs are good, I am saying that it’s simply not possible to stop them using the government, and we need to stop trying.
The unintended consequences are horrible. We’re spending literally tens of billions of dollars EVERY YEAR and making no progress. We’re losing more and more personal liberties and rights. More people are being killed by mistake by an increased militarized police — it is simply NOT WORTH IT.
Are drugs bad? Sure. It it worth the cost in dollars, lives, and liberties to continue this fight that literally cannot be won? Not by a long shot.