Legalize by John Stossel

[User]

The other day, reading the New York Post's Page Six gossip page, I was surprised to find a picture of me, followed by the lines: "ABC's John Stossel wants the government to stop interfering with your right to get high. ... The crowd went silent at his call to legalize hard drugs."

I had attended a Marijuana Policy Project event celebrating the New York State Assembly's passage of a medical-marijuana bill. (The bill hasn't yet passed the Senate.)

I told the audience I thought it pathetic that the mere half passage of a bill to allow sick people to try a possible remedy would merit such a celebration.

Of course medical marijuana should be legal. For adults, everything should be legal. I'm amazed that the health police are so smug in their opposition.

After years of reporting on the drug war, I'm convinced that this "war" does more harm than any drug.

Independent of that harm, adults ought to own our own bodies, so it's not intellectually honest to argue that "only marijuana" should be legal — and only for certain sick people approved by the state. Every drug should be legal.

"How could you say such a ridiculous thing?" asked my assistant. "Her*in and coca*ne have a permanent effect. If you do cra*k just once, you are automatically hooked.

Legal hard drugs would create many more addicts. And that leads to more violence, homelessness, out-of-wedlock births, etc."

Her diatribe is a good summary of the drug warriors' arguments. Most Americans probably agree with what she said.

But what most Americans believe is wrong.

People once said hero*n was nearly impossible to quit, but during the Vietnam War, thousands of soldiers became addicted, and when they returned home, 85% quit within one year.

People have free will. Most who use drugs eventually wise up and stop.

And most people who habitually use drugs live perfectly responsible lives; their habits are invisible to their neighbors. As Jacob Sullum writes in "Saying Yes," there is a "silent majority of users: the decent, respectable people who, despite their politically incorrect choice of intoxicants, earn a living and meet their responsibilities."

Researchers advised, "Drug research should more fully incorporate previously hidden populations to more fully inform theory and practice," adding that the "pharmacological properties of specific substances should not be assumed to inevitably lead to addictive and destructive patterns of drug use."

Myth: Drugs cause crime.

Truth: The drug war causes the crime.

Few drug users hurt or rob people because they are high. Most of the crime occurs because the drugs are illegal and available only through a black market. Drug sellers arm themselves and form gangs because they cannot ask the police to protect their persons and property.

In turn, some buyers steal to pay the high black-market prices. The government says hero*n, coca*ne, and nicotine are similarly addictive, and about half the people who both smoke cigarettes and use coca*ne say smoking is at least as strong an urge. But no one robs convenience stores for Marlboros.

Alcohol prohibition created Al Capone and the Mafia. Drug prohibition is worse. It's corrupting whole countries and financing terrorism.

The Post wrote, "Stossel admitted his own 22-year-old daughter doesn't think [legalization] is a good idea."

But that's not what she said. My daughter argued that legal coca*ne would probably lead to more coca*ne use. And therefore probably abuse.

I'm not so sure.

Banning drugs certainly hasn't kept young people from getting them. We can't even keep these drugs out of prisons. How do we expect to keep them out of America?

But let's assume my daughter is right that legalization would lead to an increase in experimentation, and that would lead to more addiction. I still say: Legal is better.

While drugs harm many, the drug war's black market harms more.

And most importantly, in a free country, adults should have the right to harm themselves.

Mr. Stossel is co-anchor of ABC News' "20/20" and the author of "Myth, Lies, and Downright Stupidity."

some content has been edited but the entire unedited article can be found by following the link at the bottom of this post.

News Hawk: User: http://www.420magazine.com/
Source: The New York Sun
Copyright: 2008 The New York Sun
Contact: Customer Service - The New York Sun
Website: Legalize Every Drug - June 18, 2008 - The New York Sun

[NAZZ]

I disagree that they should legalize hard drugs, so many people cant control themselves, making the drugs easier to get doesn't help anyone. Though I do agree that the current system is not working. Rehab? You have to make the point that there is so much beyond drugs. And that there is only one life to live, and that they need to take a good look at themselves. I guess I really don't really have much experience with that crap. It seems like they have gotten themselves in a rut that leads nowhere and you need to convince them that it doesnt have to be that way. This is what I call ripped and rambleing.

[Jimbo]

If truth be known, I once had a major addiction to cra*k and if that crap ever gets legalized....well, let me put it this way, have you ever seen a movie about zombies?

I totally disagree with letting death sentence drugs become legal. There is nothing worse than becoming addicted to drugs that will not let go of your mind, body or spirit. There is no controlling yourself when you are addicted to these deadly substances.

Cannabis is the only illegal drug that needs to be legalized, because it only has a mild addiction which allows a person to quit at any time. Not only that, but it has so many benefits as a medicine, from everything such as anxiety and depression to appetite inducement in cancer patients.

Another argument I have made in the past and will re-elaborate on here, is the mer fact that, with the exception of a few, most of those deadly drugs are manufactured and brought in from other countries, which would make it easier for enforcement to control, given that their cannabis fighting efforts were freed up.

This is just food for thought before we ever let these deadly substances become legalized. Not cool!

[Boss]

This is a topic that really must be thought through, rationalized, and understood. It takes years of social studies to understand actions and reactions of a society.

The few thinkers that have come forward with the full legalization model have proven it works. That is all there is too it.

I could argue this all day long, but it truely takes serious research and reading to understand how and why it will work.

[User]

We here at 420 Magazine are supporters of Marijuana legalization and nothing more. I posted the article because of the reputation of the author (co-anchor of ABC News' "20/20") and his views concerning Marijuana legalization. I would ask those responding to it that they keep our posting guidelines in mind. We all know hard drugs can hurt you. If you don't know that then now you do, your welcome 8-)

That being said. I think that individuals have the right to harm themselves all they want. Either your free or you aren't free. Thats what freedom means.

I always thought that the best arguement for marijuana legalization was my right to pursue happiness.

[Boss]

There are more than 100 legal plants that will kill you or really hurt you if eaten, or sometimes just touched. They can be purchased and planted in your back yard all day long. :-)

[Jimbo]

Yea...I just keep forgetting to edit those words too bro. I just get so caught up in the moment when I type my posts.
Thanks for keeping me out of trouble +++rep (.;D

[User]

lol, your welcome but i'm keeping me outa trouble 8-)

[Soniq420]

This is true Libertarianism. Kudos to Stossell

[hood1]

I think, I am 6o years old and by god I can do what every I want as long as I do not hurt other people. But if I am law abiding and don't bother other people I can do as I please, I have paid my dues! Four years served during Viet Nam blood bath for nothing. Forty years paying taxes and working. No record no problems so I say get off our ass. I can make my own decisions.

[Trash]

The old adage that everything is relative to time and place as to whether it's right or wrong has some merit, but any drug can be abused, no matter whether it be alcohol or white powder. Study this and study that, and keep working toward sensible regulation or legalization of cannabis for medicinal and/or personal use.