Legalize Drugs and Save the Economy!
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Some estimate that we could save 45 Billion dollars a year simply by legalizing drugs. According to the War on Drugs Clock as of Friday May 8th, 2009 at 7:45 p.m. the Federal money spent on drugs this year is over $7,150,134,000, the State money spent on the War on Drugs is over $11,000,000,000 totaling just under $20,000,000,000, the year isn't even half over and we have spent nearly 20 million dollars on the war on drugs. All this and just about anyone, anywhere could walk out of their apartment, home, or car and score whatever kinds of drugs they want at any given time. Is this insanity or what?
Stop the War on Drugs
What does it take for the American people to see that this "War On Drugs" is a major scam? This is especially upsetting considering our economic state in the world right now. And yet when Obama took questions regarding the possibility of legalizing marijuana he said that it was not something that he would even consider. Not only is this number obscene but when you add into the mix that over 1/3 of the people in prison are in prison for drug related crimes, that to keep someone in prison for a year costs roughly $30,000 per year, not to mention the personal toll on that person, their family and society in general, that we don't have a serious discussion regarding the legalization of all drugs is a national disgrace. This doesn't even take into consideration how much money we would gain from legally cultivating, selling, controlling and taxing the drug.
Now, I can hear you all say but if we legalize drugs everyone will be getting high, they will all be shooting up by the millions and society will deteriorate faster than you can say "pass the bong". That argument is ridiculous, first of all a hundred years ago all drugs WERE legal in this country, coke was sold in Coca Cola, Heroin was legal and could be easily obtained and Marijuana was also legal and yet hundred years ago you didn't have millions of people in prison, drug abuse by the young or street gangs running around shooting each other and everyone else in order to protect their drug selling turf. Moreover, we tried this little experiment with alcohol, it was called Prohibition, not only didn't it work, it also provided the stimulus needed for organized crime. Somehow we learned our lesson with alcohol but we have been so brainwashed to think that drugs are the great Satan that we think that if we make them illegal that will make them go away. We could not be farther away from the truth.
The criminalization of drugs contributes to the illegal alien and violence problem since that is one way that the drugs enter into the country. Making drugs illegal will get rid of the violence. Moreover, 86% of the people who use illegal drugs only use marijuana. Marijuana has been proven to calm people down, unlike alcohol. The violence occurs in the underground drug trade not from people who are smoking it.
Another argument goes along the line of...if drugs are legal more people will use them. Again, I think that telling (especially young people) that something is illegal and therefore forbidden actually makes it more appealing. Some will say that crime will increase but I say that since we would be saving 1/3rd of our prison space we could actually increase the penalties should anyone actually commit a crime while under the influence in order to stave off any predicted up tick in the crime rate.
It makes me wonder just who is benefiting from this war? What is the saying...follow the money? According to the United Nations, drug trafficking is a $400 billion per year industry, equaling 8% of the world's trade. Arms manufacturers and the prison industry are also benefiting from the war on drugs. Just the amount of money that is being transferred alone should tell you that their is corruption on the highest level when it comes to the supposed war on drugs. There is no way that you could launder the amount of money that is laundered without the government knowing and being complicit.
Wake Up America!
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Do you think that drugs should be legalized and taxed?
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I had a patient 19 years old, who use the drug, but denied it. He had myocardial infarction with normal coronary arteries, which indicated it was related to drugs. How about traffic accidents? All is going to be costly if we open free market of drugs.
People are not going stop using drug because they are legal or even free. They like them because they feel good. I think there is better way.
Problem of country is we changed the way that God cannot enter schools. The same is with some churches. They do not let God in, because of religion and own opinions.
We are chasing selling drugs guys. Users should be prosecuted.
We have the same problem with monopoly. It is illegal, but government is closing eyes. If small business go under, it is not noticed. If huge "colos" goes under, all can feel it in pocket book.
We have to return to God. I am medical man and I never even tried to experiment with drugs. I do not need it.
Reasoning is not best way to go.
Good hub Brie. Thanks you brought it here.
Dammit Brie ! Another solid hub with some good points . I am all for legalizing marijuana . I still am not sure about the harder drugs though . What I do know Is that the war on drugs failed a long time ago . And the revenue It would bring In would be great . It might also save alot more lives probably too . As an American who lives reasonably close to the border I can tell you It would save alot of lives too . Taking some of the power from these vicious cartels would be Ideal . I have not snapped a bong load In probably 25 years but If I was In medical pain , why not ?
I think about Oxycotton and its highly addictable properties. But its legal. The truth is pot and other drugs will never be made legal because the pharmaceutical companies are the worlds biggest and most powerful drug dealer. And don't forget about the beer companies. Who do you think pay for those anti drug commercials? With there combined weight, theres no way that they'll ever let pot get legalized, because that will cut into there profits. And i'm pretty sure they put a pretty penny in Obamas campaign contributions. Along with Senators and Governors. Except Swartznegger and Ron Paul. The only way drugs will be legalized is if the Christian Coalition dies tomorrow, and everyone in the nation protests to legalize them. I'm against heroine and meth, but pot should not be illegal. it's utterly ridiculous.
I'm pretty sure the "creator" wants our bodies to be clean, like "temples", it was written somewhere in a religious text, I think.. The government NEEDS to regulate this because we are incapable of resisting sin. Anything destructive to our relationship with our maker should definitely be outlawed.. You don't speak for the majority -and the majority is always right, right? I think your morals slip on some religious issues but not others. Are you playing favorites?
With all respect, 100 years ago was not crazy world as we have it now. Legalizing drug or not I am neutral. I do not need them. But I try to say we are trying by reasoning solve the problems which is not in our power.
Targeting of pharmaceutical companies is wrong. Everyone is trying to make money, do you? Targeting will produce that we will loose best chemists on the world. Then you will use leaches for treating people as Soviets did.
Liberals today trying to target and control entire financial and economic system. Only government can be rich and all rest poor and controllable.
Oh definitely, you reasons for allowing sinful behavior is more important than the reasons that others offer on other issues.. Money is more important than salvation? The current war is not working because our society wants to control deviation instead of letting the individual handle thier own sins. We are moving toward letting our system control EVERY aspect but sin won't just go way.
Actually, there are laws that keep people from spitting on the sidewalk. I'm pretty sure God won't care about that..
How could a law be unjust in regard to controlling sin? Doesn't our creator need us to establish a system to do what he can't?
I agree that children should not be aborted BUT I don't need the government to tell me that. If someone else aborts, it's on their shoulders just like my own sins lay on mine. No matter how majorities treat minorities, treasures are in heaven. We are never going to get it right on Earth and the more hate we push around, the further we fall from God.
Does it matter if it is or not? Does restricting it keep people from killing?
Crimes of passion aren't premeditated. Also, what kind of justice can be given in exchange for a life? I wouldn't be content with anything but knowing I would see them again.
Would that take your pain away? I would not find any relief in that.
Brie - Thank you so much for this informative article. Finally, a voice of reason that is not ignorant to the truth. Americans have been so brainwashed by their government to believe all the hype, particularly about marijuana and the so called "war" on drugs, they don't even know truth anymore. This is why we must THINK FOR OURSELVES. Thank you, thank you, A million times thank you.
Sonya, don't forget that America has freedom of religion. You can't force your beliefs on someone else because you think "your god" is the right God. Saying that government needs to protect us from ourselves sinning, you need to look at the history of combining religion with politics. People deserve to choose for themselves if they want to sin or not. This country was built around Christianity, but it didn't say you had to believe in it. The reason why most people turn from religion is because people try to force there beliefs on others as you are suggesting our government do "for us". If you want that kind of country, I suggest you move to Italy where the pope is there leader and there god.
MattUSAF2525, I believe you totally missed my point in the sarcasm I was using.. I don't care if drugs are legal or not -I don't use them but if I do, that's on my shoulders. I have been corresponding with Brie over homosexuality and your comment supports my belief. Gay marriage should be legal because our government is supported by all citizens, including homosexuals. Basically it is hypocritical to conclude that drugs are ok and yet homosexuality is not. You can't pick and choose when it comes to morality (or Christian principles). Like I said, I don't care; ..I have my own sins to attend to.
Oh, and Matt, I couldn't have said it better...
So, by your interesting logic, allowing Gay marriages will decrease homosexuality?
When you say "most people" are you referring to Christians or just taxpayers? It seems as if a Christian would understand that these are two separate issues, however, they are similar because they both deal with the choice of morality. Why let individuals have the right to decide when it comes to one but not the other? Both can be detrimental to the soul -by Christian principles.. I don't understand how you could separate these issues and choose one over the other.. Is it the lesser of two evils? Why would you support the government to condone one but deny the other? To save a buck? Is that the Christian thing to do? If you saved money by allowing Gay Marriage, would you be in favor of that too?
So legalizing Gay Marriage doesn't mean that the goverment "condones" it?
"I have no judgement for people who enter into "sinful" relationships but I just don't think that the government should sanction them." -Brie
I'm confused because you seem to be contradicting yourself..
I think you are picking and choosing based on your own preferences, not the Bibles..
So, HOW can you figure that legalizing drugs will do the same?
Alcohol and Cigarettes are legal and the industry is doing OK..
I really don't think you care whether drug usage changes.. I think you just want to save some money. I know the cost of living in big cities, such as Manhatten gets expensive..
"Some estimate that we could save 45 Billion dollars a year simply by legalizing drugs." -I'm not attacking you. I think it's funny how money becomes the focus when allowing an immoral act to transgress. Don't become angry at me because you have become transparent in your hypocracy.. Just trying to reason on more money = an allowable sin.. I figured maybe you needed the money..
Interesting title,"Legalize Drugs and Save the Economy"-Brie
Money = "it has nothing to do with my opinions and it's ludicrous that it would."-Brie
I don't use drugs and the government will get my money, one way or another..
I'll leave you alone.
I support change in government, just in many areas that work toward equality for all, not just Christians because we all are here together and God told us to get along. In the long run, a person can destroy their body as they choose, legally or illegally, morally or immorally; the drug war proves that and in the end, it's in our own hands. I say, live and let live because we are all failing in some way.
Wow! Sonja was just looking to pick a fight. She said government should regulate drugs but killers can walk the streets and kill the first person they don't like the looks of.
I have always, even before i had ever taken a single hit of weed, thought that it was retarded that marijuana is illegal and alcohol is legal. Everyone knows you can't drive as well drunk as you can sober. But i saw on tv sometime last year that they ran a test on sober driving and a man driving high. He actually did better high. I don't think it should be legal to drive high but if i had to drive next to a drunk or a pothead i'll take the pothead.
The main thing i'll never understand is i know alot of people who have been abused by alchoholic parents and some of those parents have cleaned up and you would just never think they would do that to their children. But they were drunk. I've never heard of anyone sitting at home high after they have finished they're days work and got violent. Alchohol makes people not care about consequences.
legalize drugs, and prostitution (offering a bit of affection to a lonely stranger is less immoral than being a banker).
Here is Spain we have made marijuana legal and few people get prosecuted for so-called drug crimes. Unfortunately a lot of people come here from other countries and remain high becuase of this. Many are Americans, but a lot come from other members of the E.U. Holland (Netherlands) has a similar problem. But to many of us drugs are little different from alcohol. if you can't control it, there are places to go and get help. Unlike the U.S. we help drug abusers get clean without the stigma of prison and criminality. it's not a perfect system but at least it's a start.
Loved the hub!
Just imagine all of those jerk wad drug dealers having to get real jobs because they wouldn't be able to make such a profit by selling drugs. How many gang shootings would we aviod? (They'd find plenty more to shoot each other over, including innocent bystanders). The only reason drugs are illegal in the US is because after Prohibition ended, they needed to find work for the officers in charge of patroling it.
Great hub Brie. I do not agree with some of the comments, but the hub is excellent!
I actually blaim the drug users for a lot of the wrongs in our world today.
A lot of parents use drugs and neglect their children. Their children have many problems and causes a lot of problem in society. The parents need to stop the drug usage and becomes responsible parents.
Also, the drug users are causing all of the problems. If they would stop the usage, there would not be a market here, and the drug trafficking would go away. Shame on you drug users!
Keep on hubbing!
Thanks for a great Hub, Brie.
A cousin of mine died of an overdose while waiting to be admitted to a drug treatment facility. He was told it would be 6 months before they had a place for him.
Taxing drugs would provide a lot of money with which to build and staff drug rehab facilities.
It always amazes me how in a democracy we can't have some discussions, as if talking about a problem would make it worse!
The USAs biggest problem isn't drug laws, it is corrupt judges who for sometime now have benefitted from a prison for profit scam that should have seen a revolution long ago....... my dad was a career cop in a big city & used to be amazed at the things the populace would allow, before he died he predicted blacks n whites would have to put aside thier differences long enough to take the country back from mexicans/mexico. we jail each other for profit, for what most civilised people consider a medical problem, we americans are the epitome of evil & ignorant & I hope our country self destructs & stop terorising the rest of the world. 9/11 is a fraud.
Brie's hub could have been about individual freedoms and not just about legalizing drugs. This hub is also interesting as it portends the future. Increasingly everybody has rights, and as our society becomes more complex and countries slowly merge into one the issue evolves to personal freedoms. Drugs, sexual preference, women priests, gay parents, burqas worn in crowded places; the list of personal rights is endless. But this is supposed to happen as I interpret the Bible. Our global society will become such a hideous mix of cultures and mindsets that creating laws for each will be impossible. So eventually people will do whatever they please. But this leads to a total breakdown of discipline in the individual, in society, and in government leading to a one-world dictator. "I have rights!" will be the rallying cry of the masses. Armageddon, of course, will be close at hand. It is discipline that sustains us. But individual rights will ultimately supercede discipline. I really feel for children, as a parent's personal right to use drugs in the home will impact the child. Anyway, I believe in drugs only for medical use. I'll never forget a cancer patient's screams for morphine. The pain for her was unbearable. But for otherwise healthy people, I would advise counseling over drugs. As for saving money Brie, I think in the short term it would. But we are too emotionally fragile to resist the temptation to "feel good" when times get tough. Instead of turning to the Bible we'll opt for a hit. As for a perfect solution: There isn't one.
You could be correct. Crime happens because people want something they can't get otherwise. But if a (global) society was given everything it needed (which would, of course, include legal access to drugs) then that would resolve serious global problems leading, in part, to a prolonged peace(!). If drugs were legalized there would be -- per human nature -- a tremendous run on drug use initially. But in time that would run its course and individuals would opt in or out based on personal choice. It's really hard to say because we're dealing with supernatural influences on this planet and anything could happen. The problem I foresee is that there's a sadistic side in us that will never be eradicated. This genetic flaw would bring about drugs used as a powerful tool to control a sizable population. But I guess that's what makes day-to-day life so interesting. As usual you opened the proverbial can of worms. I can't wait for your bartering hub.
Why not legalize it. Back in the 18 and early 1900's, we had pirates that used to hijack the liquor wagons, but yet and still they legalized it and liquor is far more dangerous and reckless than drugs (inparticularly marijuana) we can at least try it for one year. Don't worry about people standing all in the streets getting high, they're already doing it, as well as drinking.
Not to offend ANYONE---
I strongly disagree. I think we can survive without that 45 billion dollars. Personally, I don't believe in using currency at ALL, but that's a little off topic because we're not going to STOP using it.
Anyway, I'd prefer people's health over the economy. People/we can find a way to get around it. People who are on drugs are just going to start doing it even MORE if they are legalized, and more people would probably start. Is that what we need? Personally, I believe that would hurt us even more, economically and in many other ways, too.
That's my opinion on the subject =)
I agree with the basis of your reasoning, am not sure anything said really addresses the deeper issues. But yes, the drug war has been a giant waste of time and money. And there has been all but nothing done to better the situation since the turn of the century.
Gateway drug...I think not! Baldwin you are nuts dude! Ron Paul is RIGHT ON...stop and think, who is smarter in this conversation, Baldwin is not even qualified to have an intelligent conversation about the legality of this.
Many of the points you've made are spot on but we cannot talk about drugs as if they all fall into the same category or have the same effects. Government policy in regards to non lethal drugs or drugs which are not chemically addictive (marijuana, shrooms, mdma, lsd etc.) should not be the same as its policy towards drugs which regularly cause overdoses and chemical dependency i.e meth, heroin, crack.
Great hub Brie.Very interesting. I agree with your views.
look Sonya...I know your comment is old and you might not see this, but what are you talking about? I have disagreed with brie before, but she is making perfect sense. If Drugs were legal, we could use the money to help people who became addicted to them. Do you know how much it costs for someone to stay in a detox facility for 8 days? I do, about 20,000 dollars. And prisoners in jail for selling heroin have free nike's and leave with 200 dollars upon release. What kind of message is that sending? Someone trying to get help pays 20 grad, while someone pushing an addictive deadly substance gets paid upon release. Brie is not saying that we should all have access to sin. She is saying the sin is there, so lets deal with putting the right people behind bars, and not the people who have been sucked in by the guy whispering "first hit's on me." And i don't understand where your homosexuality opinion has any relevance to this hub. homosexuality is not legal. The marriage end of it is. I think you are likening being a homosexual to having an addiction. I don't know how to explain this to you so you will understand, because i think you have your mind made up, but not every human action can be delt with the same way. In areas of the worl where the legal drinking age is under 21, there are less alchohol related deaths. So i think Brie is right. If we legalize marajuana, people wouldnt be buying it in a dark alley and getting arrested for posession. Look, my boyfriend the father of my child, is a full blown Heroine addict. Read my hubs, you'll see. I am the last person who should be saying to legalize drugs, they change who you are. But he would be better able to get help if the programs were not as expensive. he owes so much money that it depresses him, and throws him in a full on cycle of trying to get help, having big bills, getting depressed, and falling off the wagon. he shouldnt be the one with court dates, the guys smuggleing it in on the planes, and however they get it into the country should. We are wasteing so much money punishing people and not spending enough on trying to rehabilitate them. i know we have our disagreements Brie, but this is not one of them. i agree with you, and i do not believe that sonya was thinking logically. You cant save everyone from sinning by makeing things illegal. And we all need to live, and money is our barter system. We cant all go broke trying to save everyones souls. And your right, the way were doing it now is not working. Not by a long shot. There needs to be a change.
You know, i came across something yesterday about how the government is also keeping certain cures away, and even keeping a car from us that runs entirely on water. pfff everything is about money these days. Such a good system when it was thought up became so corrupt. Then again, doesn't everything?
DO NOT MAKE A RELIGIOUS ARGUMENT IN THE CONTEXT OF A POLITICAL ISSUE, especially when it concerns the United States of America.
This comment isn't aimed at Brie, it's aimed at those who are stating that the potential religious ramifications are a good argument against legalizing marijuana. Religious beliefs are completely personal. If you believe you are sinning by using a drug then abstain from it, but don't tell others they have to follow in your path simply because it is your subjective truth.
Marijuana should be legal because of the money it can bring to the economy.
But, the real reason it should be legalized is because our nation was founded on the idea of FREEDOM OF CHOICE. If your actions don't effect another human being, then who is to say you can't do what you want?
It isn't the government's job to protect us from ourselves. By attempting to do so, they are infringing on our right to choose.
I'm confused.. Why are you arguing on the side of something you think is immoral?
The reason I say to leave religion out of the argument is because it leads to subjective truth. In other words, you believe something is 'immoral' where as I believe it's just an experience.
I have to agree that eliminating the criminal element by legalizing it would probably work , but only unless american companies wre allowed to farm and produce the cigarrete (joint). The reason I say that is because I beleive the Fed is more worried about money leaving the country more than anything else. Just taking a trip and carrying over $10,000 , you have to declare on a customs sheet.Letting the same offshore drug manufacturer to reap the same profits ( only legaslly now) won't lower prices and the same amount of cash could still flow offshore unless american companies can corporaitize and take a cut out of their offshore profit. As far as less use , i think its possible it would stay nill and the users would just go from street thug to happy hippie. ( which is still better , IMO). All around i think it would be better , so yes don't just legalize but corporatize. Although many might just grow their own which lower the cartels profits too... anyway good hub, i probably took up half the page on this comment
Prostitution should be legal and regulated, too. It's like we are sitting on 2 gold mines -- during a recession, mind you -- and our officials are doing nothing.





























TheMindlessBrute 3 years ago
Brie,
Marijuana is now the nations top crop,as far as money is concerned.You'll get no argument from me that the war is a fraud.I've been following the work of Catherine Austin Fitts and she makes the case against drug money being laundered by banks and Wall St. in this country and the facts are undeniable.Great hub B.T.W. looks like you've done your homework!