http://www.merlins-bar.com/threads/2967.html

There will always be people who want something, even ->

>>27621 There are any number of ways the U.S., in conjunction with the Mexican government, could strangle the cartel. And I would think fairly easily, yes, through sanctions and trade restrictions against Mexico or with the use of violence in the name of National Security. I don't think the Mexican people would mind.

However, as goodgrief argues, the war on drugs is only winnable when money is removed from the system. Until then, we get hip catch-phrases like "Just Say No" and "Be Drug Free".

In terms of the U.S. government taking over the business, I think that's a foolish approach and I'd rather see the elimination of the product.

>>27628 Drive-by drug related murders, kick-door murders for cash, burglaries for cash for drugs, people imprisoned for drug dealing??? Absolutely!! It's damned obvious what's in place right now ain't working. (Does thin out the population though.)
Addicts?? Give 'em all they can snort or mainline. More jobs for you and me. They don't work anyway...useless scum.
The hard working folk that aren't addicted and never intend to be won't buy for getting addicted; just like they do now.
We've screwed around with this 'pretext' of drug prevention for too long now and it's failed miserably.

And you think it will reduce crime? Less murders?
Less addicts?

The basic point I've been trying to make is that elimination of the cartel by Mexico or the U.S. isn't something that will happen because there's too many jobs involved.
A simple takeover of the business (without bombing or killing) is all that's required. A good example would be that time when prohibition was law here. Gangs and killing is all that produced and if a person really wanted a drink he/she could get it.
Same thing here; take control of the business.

>>27620 "..if America and Mexico really wanted to eliminate the cartel, I'm sure it could be very easily done."

Sure, sure, easily. :/ What like bombing/eliminating/imprisoning all the cartels and smaller criminal groups. And then make Hawaii the new prison?

>>27584 Cigarettes and weed can both be detrimental, overall, to a person's health, and that's why I would legalize weed. Yes, non-violent prisoners would be released and law enforcement can be freed to focus on other areas (backlog of rape kits, for example). This is a good thing.

I don't think government entrenchment in the drug business is a good idea and if America and Mexico really wanted to eliminate the cartel, I'm sure it could be very easily done.

>>27584 "I smoke and respect the space of others. I don't toss butts on the ground nor do I throw anything out of the car window."

As someone who has, through various community organizations, spent a bit of time cleaning up parks and parking lots, I appreciate and applaud you for taking responsibility for your cigarette butts!

If states would take control of ALL drug growing and manufacturing and sell it cheap to the individual the Cartel would be out of business over night.
People that want drugs are going to buy them and that's a fact. Some kill for them or the money for them.
If individuals were limited with the amount they could buy, there'd be far less that would find their way to children.
Police could be paid rewards for illegal drugs they seize and turn over to the state for resale.
I'm a pipe-dreamer because drug prevention is a billion dollar industry.

>>27581 Didn't know they would do that.

I smoke and respect the space of others. I don't toss butts on the ground nor do I throw anything out of the car window.

Marijuana smoking is just as addictive as cigarette smoking.

Has anyone seen this video of an eCigarette exploding?! It shot toward the bartender, and scared the hell out of her!
I couldn't stop laughing!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=np5Kdsyk6-k

>>27569 Firstly, I would never take away a persons cigarette (except indoors because it's rude and unhealthy). Cigarettes, alcohol and marijuana should be legal to purchase, taxed and everyone can go about their day.

Banning ecigs is probably a very smart decision currently because there are no regulations (some people believe, to their detriment I'm afraid, this is a good thing, in general) and I don't care what anyone says, those things ARE marketed to children.

Does anyone really think big tobacco has earned the trust and confidence of the public??

>>27557 First you don't want hard drugs to be legal, just the mild stuff: like MJ. Make sure the people who buy it are over 18yo, tax it, etc & blablabla

So for #1 through #8: no, cause you only legalize MJ. Meth and GHB is far more addictive and deadlier, thus more lucrative. So yes, you keep your job.

Laws make or break it. For instants, in the Netherlands smoking weed is condoned (yet technically illegal..don't start) in special bars called coffee shops. It's also condoned to smoke it in your home (although my housing corporation forbids it). However you aren't allowed to smoke it in public or when you are driving or about to drive. The buyer has to be 18 or older (have an ID ready!) and must be a member of that bar. If the person wants to smoke it at home, (s)he's only allowed to carry a few grams (not kilos ;).
Owning plants is condoned but officially illegal and if seen by the police they will remove them from your property. However you won't go to jail or get a fine.
Medical MJ is allowed to but only per prescription. Those patients have to smoke it at home.

I'm sure there are more rules, but these are the ones I know.


Vote for my party! ;)

>>27546 In this same free country that you envision everyone free to smoke marijuana, but smoking cigarettes are frowned on and taxed heavily, or even ecigarettes (vaping) are banned. It seems that those around here that want the pot freedom want to limit the freedom of those that want to Vape.

Here's what I think would suffer loss here if drugs were legalized:
1. Half a million DEA agents, police, border patrol, bounty hunters, etc. out of work overnight. You don't have a job here anymore...goodbye.
2. Any and all manufacturing plants/divisions of a plant making chase boats, chase helicopters, chase boats, night vision gear, radar, sonar, etc. etc...
3. 70% of prisons and there goes federal funding for the individual states if the population falls below 55%.
4. Judges retiring since 70% of their cases are drug related.
5. Lawyers..see #4
6. Half-way and 3/4 houses (state, federal and client funded) ... see #3.
7. Pharmaceutical companies loosing all business related to drugs fighting drugs, depression from drugs and pharmaceutical marijuana.
8. Congressmen and lobbyists receiving under-the-table cash to keep all of the above well oiled and in business.

I'm not sure either political party would approve of the implementation of this program in America. Our politicians love their wars too much. War on drugs, war on Christmas, war on religion, war on terror, poverty, you name it, we'll fight it, or at least, pretend to!

Goodgrief is right that winning the war on drugs is counter-productive to the politician who enjoys having his pockets lined with cash.

And heaven forbid we allow free people in a free society to smoke marijuana.

"..PAID workers would protest." Amsterdam is a big place, they don't cover the whole city with these people, just small portions. Also they do the basic jobs, nothing to fancy, that's still for the professionals.
You can sell that to congress ;)
But I'm sure Fox news/republican'ts will twist it into something left wing

I think it was implemented in the Amsterdam area.
"Drug Prevention", here, is a billion dollar industry and anything that makes sense would quickly be swept under the carpet. Pisses me off.

No, not until now. Different cities have different programs. I do know a local program for the drug addicts, they have to clean the streets so they take their mind of scoring (dope) / drinking alcohol / begging etc.

Also most heroin/meth homeless addicts get prescription meth from the salvation army. It suppose to keep them from being their highs from drug dealers, thus making the streets safer. It works for most but there are a few bad(der) apples who keep buying illegal.
They are well known by the police.

When I was a city guard (Toezichthouder) we had to be present when the 'Meth bus' arrived at the shelter. The shelter was next to our HQ :)