In 1970, Congress passed the Controlled Substances Act which banned the manufacture, importation, possession, use and distribution of certain drugs. The act ranked drugs by their potential for abuse and placed them into five categories. Two of the most widely used drugs in the U.S., wine and alcohol, are exempt from the classifications. Ballot measures in several states including Colorado, Washington and Oregon have decriminalized possession of small amounts of marijuana. These laws apply only within the respective states and have no effect on Federal law.
@ISIDEWITH12yrs12Y
Yes
@9FMW82V12mos12MO
If we were to decriminalize drug use where would the representation for those affected be for those who had a lack of self-control when taking drugs and committing serious crimes under the influence?
@Ars-Gratia-Artis8mos8MO
Ummm, yeah? Drugs is a lack of self control? Just don't take them? Don't be an idiot?
@9FRFK9G12mos12MO
Drugs are a negative force. They impact the mind and make a person lose control of themselves. They help lazy people ignore their responsibilities. So for a successful society to function, drugs cannot be decriminalized.
@9FTRLC812mos12MO
I understand that this is a steep hill to climb for many - to decriminalize is equivalent to just letting dangerous people out onto the streets. But decriminalizing drug use is more akin to decriminalizing homosexuality than it is to decriminalizing rape and murder. These are non-violent drug offenders and many of them want to contribute positively to society. Drug abusers who commit crimes will still go to prison, but drug users who can contribute positively to society and violate no other laws should be free to do so.
@9F8Y59L1yr1Y
Do you believe anybody could be helped? Because I do, some people just stoop or fall so low in their mentality stableness that they need any sort of help that is offered to them, such as drug users and addicts. I believe that they can be helped and even so if they are in jail paying time for whatever it may be that allies with their drug use. But as for importers and sellers, who may or may not be addicts/users themselves, should probably just pay their time and get restricted help for themselves.
@ISIDEWITH12yrs12Y
No
@9FTRLC812mos12MO
There is a great deal of misconception in those who oppose the legalization of drug use. The people who use and abuse drugs are not moral failures in need of punishment, they are sick people in need of treatment. The criminal justice system has been a total failure in treating the epidemic of drug use and abuse. It is time to listen to the experts: doctors, social workers, counselors, and psychologists, all of whom agree that drugs should be decriminalized and treated as a health issue, not an issue of crime.
@9FSLBBQ12mos12MO
Cartels would have less business, protecting American borders/national security, and a key part of recovery is safe use. Addicts would be safer, given cleaner and sterilized substances as to reduce fatality rate of US citizens.
@9FPP85Z12mos12MO
Not having resources like Addiction Prevention centers can prevent the public from knowing the basic dangers of substance abuse and leave them uninformed and open to harmful things they know nothing about.
@9FNC85212mos12MO
Criminalizing drug use wastes government money and resources, does not have a significant impact on decreasing drug use, and can further drive those with a history of drug use into poverty, making them less likely to recover from addiction
@ISIDEWITH12yrs12Y
Yes, and retroactively reduce sentences for those already serving time
@ISIDEWITH8yrs8Y
No, but decriminalize drugs that offer medicinal benefits such as marijuana
@9G9TFLSRepublican11mos11MO
We shouldn't criminalize something that has good benefits. I would prefer something natural, instead of a man-made pill or drug.
@ISIDEWITH12yrs12Y
Yes, for most but not all drugs
@9FNJ62L12mos12MO
All drugs can **** you up badly so none of them should be legal because of what they could do to you
@9G5485V11mos11MO
I believe that Drugs like Weed are alright and should be fine because of the multiply studies done showing it doesn't really do too much but I also believe that it should only been done in small doses. I also Believe that drugs like heroin and fentanyl are things that should be band and also stuff similar to that that people CAN get addicted to and OD on.
@ISIDEWITH12yrs12Y
No, we should pass tougher drug laws
@9F8Y59L1yr1Y
I personally believe that we should decriminalize the drug use in the United States. But at the same time, depending on how badly drug users or addicts are, and how illegally they are using or possibly even selling/ importing, they shall be arrested and get more time than usual, and with that provide help for the addicts while paying time or anything of the sorts.
@9F87HB81yr1Y
People should not be criminalized for having an addiction. They should be given help and resources to get help.
@9FN86KL12mos12MO
Making the drug laws tougher would make the selling and buying of some otherwise harmless drugs (referring to cannabis and certain psychedelics) more needlessly dangerous for those who are unfortunately addicted. The 18th and 21st amendments to the constitution are a prime example
@9FLNXF812mos12MO
Drugs will still be a thing even if their was a drug policy, people will still find ways to do them.
@ISIDEWITH8yrs8Y
No, but increase funding for addiction prevention and rehabilitation
@9FPP85Z12mos12MO
I think that addiction preventions centers are a total joke. The root of most addictions starts with mental health issues which are constantly avoided, especially in males. They should instead offer free counseling and free community event to help spread awareness and let people know they have support and are not alone.
@98JZKDC2yrs2Y
I absolutely agree. I consider myself to be socially liberal, but my one outlying belief is around marijuana and other recreational drugs, even the "less dangerous" ones. All drugs pose a risk. However, we absolutely do need to remain empathetic and supportive of those impacted by addiction, and increase government funding for community-based rehabilitation and prevention programs.
@ISIDEWITH8yrs8Y
@4Q4842P4yrs4Y
Drug addiction is a mental illness, not a crime. We have Alcoholics Anonymous, which helps people take back their lives, why not have the same thing for drugs?
@4VXP5HT4yrs4Y
Only if we summarily execute those who sell to people under age 25. (So brain fully develops. Marijuana should be legal over age 21.
@4THMGRM4yrs4Y
Yes, but drugs can also be used as weapons (i.e. as poisons), and hence should be controlled. Recreational use should be legal.
@534HWNP4yrs4Y
Instead of jail time there should be mandatory rehab, and parole for that same as jail. They are still using in jails, so that only perpetuates the problem.
@8N6QGZS4yrs4Y
I do not understand what decriminalization is so I’m going to say that if you possess a drug that’s illegal you should be arrested
@4Q4C63L4yrs4Y
Yes, but level harsh penalties against the user if they hurt someone while under the influence.
@9RHYD7S2mos2MO
Yes, decriminalize the buying of drugs but regulate the selling of it. And drug addicts should get the same kind of treatment as alcoholics
@4S68HTK4yrs4Y
Yes, but offer safe houses so the public is not harmed.
Yes, treat drug abuse as a health issue instead of a criminal one. Release or at least reduce sentences for non-violent drug offenders
@9D5CCYX1yr1Y
What we should do is increase punishment for drug dealers but at the same time we should increase funding for addiction prevention and rehabilitation.
Portugal is a great example of this. They decriminalized all drugs in 2001 and instead focused on treating drug use as a public health issue rather than a criminal one. As a result, they've seen a significant decrease in drug-related deaths and HIV infection rates. But, they also hold drug traffickers accountable with strict laws.
@937HGK42yrs2Y
No and increase penalties for alcohol
@8HQ7NMCIndependent4yrs4Y
Yes, but not on dealers. Too much money spent on jailing and prisons.
@4S6KBRM4yrs4Y
No, we have a drug problem in this country and it's not likely due to the fact that people just want to break the law to use drugs. That being said, making it criminal is only costing tax payers money in retaining individuals that made poor choices, but are still susceptible to using when they are free, if we spent the same amount ensuring that people recover and educating others on the dangers and effective ways of coping with life, then we'd all be better off. One bad decision shouldn't ruin your life, but it should turn it around.
@57FFD7W4yrs4Y
Hemp should be legal, execute traffickers
@4Q8CTVC4yrs4Y
I believe that if you have nicotine and alcohol legal then why not other drugs. But I would prefer that recreational use of any and all drugs, including tobacco and alcohol be prohibited. I do think that medical use of all drugs should be expanded.
@4Q89XTP4yrs4Y
Yes, but selling, transporting or supplying drugs should be illegal. The point is to not punish drug users, the real victims of drug abuse.
@8H96Y524yrs4Y
Yes, and free people currently serving time for nonviolent drug offenses, and expunge nonviolent drug charges from criminal records.
@9T6XV9N5 days5D
Yes, then drug overdoses do not qualify for insurance coverage and have an automatic do not resuscitate
@9L74FFC6mos6MO
Yes, though there should be reasonable limitations similar to alcohol restrictions. Drug use should be treated as a health issue instead of a criminal issue provided no violence is involved.
@9HNVCYJ9mos9MO
Yes, and we should replace prisons with mandatory rehabilitation and mental health services for those addicted
@9H3SNRPLibertarian10mos10MO
Yes, but implement a hands-on enforced policy that empathizes treatment instead of jail for public drug users.
Loading the political themes of users that engaged with this discussion
Loading data...
Join in on more popular conversations.
@ISIDEWITH3 days3D
