You're assuming that the drug cartels and whoever else will call it a day and go into some sort of legal industry/operation instead of turning to another crime. Possible, but I find it unlikely, especially considering that a large number of people turn to producing/selling drugs and crime in general because they are unable to support themselves any other way. Maybe they don't have an education and can't get a decent job, or are just used to the lifestyle selling drugs provides and aren't willing to give that up. Whatever the reason, I have a feeling that these people will find other means to keep their wealth and living standards, whether that just means selling more drugs, but no without worrying about the cops breathing down their neck.Dense_Electric said:
Remember, a rose by any other name will smell just as sweet, and a drug cartel by any other name will still act like a dictator and fuck over his country and it's people. You legalise pot, or any drug that this guy sells, you make things much easier for him. He can move it across borders without much problems and grow much more of the stuff without too much trouble. If the government starts selling pot at a lower cost (which is pretty much impossible considering the difference in payment between Mexican and North American workers) then you're only going to encourage the cartel to move into something more serious, like cocaine. If the government is going to sell every drug at an impossible cheaper rate, then they'll find/create another drug to sell. There aren't enough people to make every drug, these cartels are going to find their niche. Drugs are still going to be sold on the streets, they're still going to be fought over, and there are still going to be problems. Only now the police can't do anything about it, because having a massive stash of coke in your garage is a legitimate industry.
You can't just make things legal and expect crime to go away. I mean, I guess it will, but if you make murder legal that doesn't mean people won't be murdered, they just wont be going to jail for it now. If you make it legal to produce and sell drugs, drugs will still be produced and sold. So you're either going to keep things exactly as they are or you're going to be making things much worse.
There are ways to make a large number of drugs (not all) legal without keeping things as they are or making them worse, but doing so will take a lot of time, and require some level of effort from the people using them. You're going to need to stop taking the drugs for starters, and that isn't going to happen.
Most of the people who want drugs legalised don't really give two shits about personal freedom, they really just want to stop worrying about getting caught with those drugs and going to jail. I personally hate the thought of all drugs being legal, because if the government wanted; the drugs could be advertised, sold in vending machines, handed out at schools... A government could produce a drug designed to keep the majority of people hooked, obedient and absolutely dependent while the minority get to rule over the rest. Unlikely and perhaps too grim, but it isn't impossible. Drug users seem too happy to bend over backwards for an easier fix, whether it's with extra taxes or going against their morals.
As for what I feel about weed? I don't plan on using it, but I don't mind if you buy it from a guy who grows it himself and just sells to friends, or if you grow it yourself. If you aren't hurting anyone or supporting others who hurt others than you're better than most. If you feel the need to get high to enjoy a party, or need it to relax, or just need it than you're pretty weak, but at least you aren't lining the pockets of murderers.
If you buy weed from the shady guy you're pretty sure sells child pornography and you've seen beating people up for money, you're shit. You're pathetic and you should feel bad. Have some fucking morals and don't turn a blind eye to people who are making the lives of many others worse just so you can get what you want.
Unfortunately the above paragraph refers to nearly all of us. Somewhere in the past of the stuff you own and use, someone was abused. Child labour is a big one.
