Drugs and legalization

Drugs and Legalization Since early on man has been interested in the consumption of substances that altered the mind or ones feeling. The consumption of substances can be broken down into legal and illegal substances. The question is, who are we to label certain substances illegal and prohibit others from using them by creating penalties for their use? If the importation, sale and use of drugs were legal, the open competition would eliminate the profitability of drug dealing. Without the economic incentive to commit violent crimes, the violence of drug dealing would be dramatically reduced. In addition to the elimination of the economic incentive, the health risk factor would help to reduce the role of the drug dealer. A potential customer would probably choose to buy a market-tested product from a pharmacy as opposed to buying a product of unknown dosage and quality from a corner dealer. Without the advantage of large profits, the drug dealing profession would lose its luster. A major problem is that teenagers see selling drugs as the only way to make money. Minimum wage salaries can not compare to the huge profits associated with dealing. In a drug community, the drug dealers are seen as the center of the community. They become role models for the children, replacing their parents. Eliminating the drug dealer will force these young children into the reality that education is the way to make money, not selling drugs. N.O.R.M.L (National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws) is a fully recognized organization that lobbies for the removal of criminal penalties for the individual who uses marijuana in private. Since it is the Americans right to privacy, personal choice, and individual freedom. Marijuana, in addition to not being a dangerous drug, has been documented to have practical medical purposes and environmental purposes. The legalization of marijuana, a drug that the criminalization of is so impossible to enforce, would not only not harm society, but could actually benefit it. The question then becomes, how should legalization be approached? In addition to legalization, the government must also educate people of the affects. Legalizing drugs would allow them to be available to those who would benefit from their medical use and those who would like to use them as recreational drugs much like alcohol and tobacco are. Research would also be encouraged as scientists could search for new and practical uses of drugs. There are many wonderful uses of drugs that have not yet been identified or perfected because of the strict laws against them. With expanded research, we could discover these new possibilities. Of course, some restrictions would have to be set. Likely, an age restriction would have to be adopted. Restricting the use of drugs to adults only, and educating the youth of the potential dangers should help curb adolescent abuse, much like that of alcohol and tobacco. Prohibiting acts such as driving a vehicle under the influence of a mind-altering substance would likewise be necessary. Another necessity would be the destruction of all those with prior criminal records due to the arrest or conviction on drug-related charges. Of course, the right of the non-smoker would have to be respected in a public facility, just like non-smoking areas now days. The legalization could also help the economy in the revenue collected from taxes.