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
@9FMW82V7mos7MO
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-Artis3mos3MO
Ummm, yeah? Drugs is a lack of self control? Just don't take them? Don't be an idiot?
@9FRFK9G7mos7MO
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.
@9FXNPLD6mos6MO
Too many uneducated people who do not know about consequences or are not bothered with em. This will cause problems
@9CJ6CB66mos6MO
We keep smoking and vaping and alcohol legal. Banning drugs is just a crappy idea to begin with, and it just gave drug dealers more access and customers. If we regulate it, we can reduce the illegal dealing of drugs and their level of danger.
@Ars-Gratia-Artis3mos3MO
Vaping is more harmful than smoking, but provided people know the risks, fine, just keep it out of the schools. It really needs regulating, but maybe more in the way of Clear and Present Danger than in the way of "WHO WANTS REGULATED METHAMPHETAMINES?!"
Besides, more people would get hooked if it was legal, and it is scientifically proven that more drugs are needed each time to get a better high, so therefore, people would look to illegal drugs for greater strength anyway.
@9FTRLC87mos7MO
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.
@ISIDEWITH12yrs12Y
No
@9FNC8527mos7MO
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
@9FTRLC87mos7MO
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.
@9FSLBBQ7mos7MO
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.
@9FPP85Z7mos7MO
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.
@ISIDEWITH12yrs12Y
Yes, and retroactively reduce sentences for those already serving time
@ISIDEWITH7yrs7Y
No, but decriminalize drugs that offer medicinal benefits such as marijuana
@9G9TFLSRepublican6mos6MO
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
@9G5485V6mos6MO
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.
@9FNJ62L7mos7MO
All drugs can **** you up badly so none of them should be legal because of what they could do to you
@ISIDEWITH12yrs12Y
No, we should pass tougher drug laws
@9F8Y59L7mos7MO
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.
@9F87HB87mos7MO
People should not be criminalized for having an addiction. They should be given help and resources to get help.
@9FLNXF87mos7MO
Drugs will still be a thing even if their was a drug policy, people will still find ways to do them.
@9FBNJRW7mos7MO
Some of the drugs are not inherently harmful, and there is an overcrowding of prisons, focus on worse crimes.
@ISIDEWITH7yrs7Y
No, but increase funding for addiction prevention and rehabilitation
@9FPP85Z7mos7MO
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.
@98JZKDC1yr1Y
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.
@ISIDEWITH7yrs7Y
@4Q4842P3yrs3Y
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?
@8N6QGZS3yrs3Y
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
@4Q4C63L3yrs3Y
Yes, but level harsh penalties against the user if they hurt someone while under the influence.
@534HWNP3yrs3Y
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.
@4THMGRM3yrs3Y
Yes, but drugs can also be used as weapons (i.e. as poisons), and hence should be controlled. Recreational use should be legal.
@4VXP5HT3yrs3Y
Only if we summarily execute those who sell to people under age 25. (So brain fully develops. Marijuana should be legal over age 21.
@937HGK42yrs2Y
No and increase penalties for alcohol
@4S6KBRM3yrs3Y
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.
@4S68HTK3yrs3Y
Yes, but offer safe houses so the public is not harmed.
@4Q8CTVC3yrs3Y
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.
Yes, treat drug abuse as a health issue instead of a criminal one. Release or at least reduce sentences for non-violent drug offenders
@8H96Y524yrs4Y
Yes, and free people currently serving time for nonviolent drug offenses, and expunge nonviolent drug charges from criminal records.
@8HQ7NMCIndependent4yrs4Y
Yes, but not on dealers. Too much money spent on jailing and prisons.
@57FFD7W3yrs3Y
Hemp should be legal, execute traffickers
@4Q89XTP3yrs3Y
Yes, but selling, transporting or supplying drugs should be illegal. The point is to not punish drug users, the real victims of drug abuse.
Yes, and support increased funding for addiction prevention, treatments, and rehabilitation, as well as mandatory rehabilitation programs in lieu of imprisonment.
@9D5CCYX9mos9MO
What we should do is increase punishment for drug dealers but at the same time we should increase funding for addiction prevention and rehabilitation.
@ThrilledCurRepublican9mos9MO
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.
Marijuana should be decriminalized, but other instances of drug use should be dealt with through rehabilitation, not imprisonment
@8GLW8NG4yrs4Y
Yes, for most but not all drugs, reduce or remove sentences for recreational drug use as long as it does not endanger the lives of others, and there should be more funding given to addiction prevention and rehabilitation
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