Legalizing Recreational Drugs

02/06/2008

If recreational drugs are to be legalized, we need to take into consideration the consequences of such an action. The most obvious problem with legalizing recreational drugs is a potential increase in the number of users. However, one could argue that these potential users would most likely have been alcoholics or gambling addicts anyway, though it can't be proven. If recreational drugs were legalized, addicted users could seek professional treatment for their problem without the fear of being prosecuted. Both alcoholism and addiction to gambling are legal for profit and entertainment and yet they are thought of as harmful. The overall negative effect of recreational drug legalization wouldn't differ much from the effect that the legality of alcohol presently has on society; we can look to many European countries where marijuana has been legalized as proof. If legalization is done properly, the problems of crime and supposed addicted users shouldn't get any worse.

Drug legalization would have many positive effects as well. Organized crime would become weaker, or else would shift into other areas of trade since drugs could then be traded without the risk of prosecution. This leads us to legal trade benefits. For example, poor countries in South America and the Middle East would have a legal export that is in demand. These countries would then be able to profit more without the related violence and risks associated with illegal trade and production. Drug legalization could also benefit the general population as well by providing funding for programs that benefit the public. A small tax could be placed on drugs, just as alcohol or a lottery. The price of organic recreational drugs would then drop since they are relatively easy to produce. This leads back to more profit and demand for exported drugs from poor countries; most poor countries aren't capable of producing synthetic drugs in a lab but they could easily grow organic drugs.

However, not all drugs are beneficial to society. If recreational drugs are to be legalized, they need to first be recategorized realistically by their effect on society as a whole. While many drugs are no more harmful than alcohol, certain drugs can cause significant negative effects. Methamphetamine, for example, is an increasingly popular recreational drug. It's synthetic derivatives, when consumed legally and appropriately, do have medicinal benefits such as helping treat attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder. However, in its recreational form it is physically addictive and harms the body. It is not up to the government to prevent personal self-inflicted harm, but not only is meth's recreational form dangerous for consumption, its production is very dangerous as well. Marijuana, on the other hand, is a great anti-depressant and is no more addictive than Zoloft or Prozac. Marijuana's production is also very safe since it is organic. One might argue that the tar released by smoking it is harmful, but there are alternate methods of consumption such as vaporization or ingestion.

After we redefine recreational drugs to include only those with beneficial or non-addictive qualities, they are no more harmful than liquor or prescription drugs. If a drug is at all beneficial, organic, and its production method is reasonably safe then there is no reason it should be illegal. With legalization comes responsibility though. There should be regulations on consumption and punishment for abuse and illegal consumption by minors just as with alcohol and prescription medications. The public should also be realistically educated about the effects of different drugs, as well as the effects of alcohol. Many first-time drug users are simply curious to see the effects. If they knew the negative side-effects ahead of time they would be more prepared to handle the consequences, and may even decide against trying recreational drugs; the same applies to alcohol consumption. Most teens wouldn't get trashed if they knew how to regulate themselves and handle alcohol maturely.

Cannabis is a great candidate for legalization since it is an organic substitute for anti-depressants and anti-anxiety medications. Safer methods of consumption should be encouraged as well since smoking releases tar and other non-beneficial chemicals. The result of alternate consumption methods, such as vaporizing, is a very clearheaded and medicinal effect rather than the stoned effect from smoking since the drug is heated only enough to release THC vapors and doesn't produce smoke and tar. If marijuana were legal, it could be imported cheaply and taxed locally to support public welfare programs and education. Legalization would cause poorer countries such as Afghanistan to have a more active and prosperous economy and would lead to a higher quality of life for its citizens. If there is more money to be spent freely for leisure then the overall quality of life will go up for everyone since there is more money in circulation. Someone has to farm it, someone has to distribute it, and someone has to consume it. The person who consumes it will be happier due to its effects, and since it's legal and organic it is cheaper to produce than prescription medications. As a result, the producers, distributors, and consumers all have more money to spend elsewhere due to savings, which would help boost the economy even more.

For recreational drugs to be legalized, we need to first categorize them according to their usefulness and safety, as well as their overall benefit or harm to society. The public also needs to be properly educated of their effects, just as they are educated about side-effects of prescription medications by their doctors. Legalized drugs should be regulated just as alcohol and tobacco are, and ones that are more potent and possibly dangerous should require a doctor's professional opinion to be consumed.

Society as a whole would benefit greatly from the legalization of drugs. Law enforcement personnel would be able to spend more of their time and resources preventing crime rather than chasing drug dealers, and our prisons wouldn't be full of non-violent offenders. Consumption of recreational drugs is a health issue, just as alcohol and tobacco are, and not a criminal issue.