On Mon, 30 Apr 2012, John Wilson wrote:
I think a possible solution would be full legalisation and strong criminalisation for commercial sale.
It is a strange argument: I don't mind whether you smoke, take pills or whatever, while persecuting the provider. Think about the "market idea" behind legalization: If we make it legal, the prices may drop, the "average user" can afford it without commiting crime, and the profit margin drops (more cometition in an open market), and it isn't criminal, can be controlled, it becomes a "proper business", not a fringe criminal economy, with huge profit margins so it is lucrative to invest in. Your idea would not achieve it. It also takes away the opportunity to control drug quality, important for users. Besides, it becomes easier to produce a large variety of drugs, with any kind of black-list you are just catching up with the available range of drugs. Having kids, I believe it would be better for them to grow up in an environment where drugs are available, policed, quality-controlled and their behaviour and usage depending on education. Much better than experimenting with colourful pills with unknown ingredients and unknown origin. Regards Peter