Well, we haven’t heard too much discussion about the War on Drugs in a while, have we? Drug policy issues received zero coverage in the 2003-2004 election cycle, despite the existence of a huge constituency that has been loudly calling for policy reforms across the nation. The next president will preside over the 40th anniversary of Richard Nixon’s War on Drugs, and yet the nation’s drug problem is probably worse than it was in 1970. Scholars and repentant drug warriors have been making the case that our failed attempt at Drug Prohibition is just like our failed attempt at Alcohol Prohibition in the 20’s and 30’s -- they argue that creating a black market for drugs has made things worse, not better.
It is my belief that most independents think the federal War on Drugs is out to lunch, that at least its worst excesses should be repealed, and that marijuana policy in particular should just be left to the states. Will candidates with anti-prohibitionist records like Ron Paul and Dennis Kucinich find ways to activate that constituency? Or will anti-prohibitionist voters prefer a more mainstream candidate such as Bill Richardson (who supported and signed both industrial hemp and medical marijuana legislation in New Mexico this year)?
Ten years ago, people were still winning national elections promising to “get tough on drugs,” despite no evidence of the strategy's success and ample evidence of its failure. But the pendulum, it swings, and I don't think any candidate could win the presidency with "drug warrior" rhetoric in 2008. Does anybody really think I'm wrong?
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Comments: 19
Whoever we elect next should swear a pledge to have no more "wars" on material things, tactics, or ideas.
I'd think if we took even just marijuana distribution out of the black market, and harnessed the opportunity to tax it, as Ross said, the program could pay for itself, and could pay for rehabilitation programs for those who are hooked on Crystal Methamphetamine, Heroin and other truly debilitating drugs.
The idea you are talking about has become very mainstream in New Hampshire and a lot of other places.
I would love to see a serious discussion of drug policy, and taking cannabis out of the federal Drug War would be an excellent reform. If some states want to be silly about Marijuana Prohibition, I'd say that's their problem...
But we have to get the DEA out of the way. State legislatures would pass major reforms if not for the very real fear that their state would soon be swarming with federal agents.
1) Something like $69 billion spent per year of our tax dollars
2) No-knock raids on people turned in by unreliable informants can seriously endanger innocent people
3) An erosion of our civil liberties
4) Greatly increased crime due to the high prices caused by the black market
5) For all this cost, the drug war is totally ineffective.
I've never done an illegal drug in my life, but I have recently become somewhat active in fighting drug prohibition, and I encourage others to do the same. http://leap.cc
The good news, is you don't have to elect a "kook" to eliminate the war on drugs. The people such as Richardson and Paul are against drug prohibition due to a consistent stance for freedom that carries over into other areas.
Did you happen to watch the hour-long special with Ron Paul and Scott Spradlin on WMUR? Ron Paul told the studio audience he considered Kucinich a good friend of his, and that he greatly respected him.
I think the two are a very good model of how progressives and libertarians should work together when they agree, and seek to understand each other when they don't.
I haven't actually checked the stats, but I'm willing to bet the trafficking, usage, and deaths caused by heroin have not declined, more likely have kept with the upward trend of the last decade.
Latest reports say that Afghanistan now produces MORE than enough opium to satisfy the heroin demand of the ENTIRE WORLD.
I know I could sure use $43 mil.
The way our government spends its money, I'm skeptical about giving it any more revenue. ;)
Some people might not be aware of how exactly marijuana became illegal in the first place. It started in the southern U.S. by a bunch of right-wing white men who said that the blacks are smoking the marijuana and in turn raping all their white women. Thats how it became illegal. Look it up.....
Interestingly enough, we have NOT declared war on Iraq.
Steve . . . the way the government is spending your money, and your children's and grandchildren's money too is perhaps even more accurate.
Regards,
Doyle I <~~~~~
People here too. Do we see a War on Killers? How about a War on drunk driving? Why not declare War on unhappiness . . . everybody's against that? Terrorism is a tactic. You cannot kill a method. By the way . . . there is no "War on Terrorism" . . . only Congress can declare War and Iraq was not attacking us . . . and there's no war on Iraq either. Just one flagrant violation of International Law . . . . with an unprovoked invasion of a soveriegn nation.
If there WERE a War on terrorism . . . why have we attacked Iraq . . . increased terrorism . . . and left 3,000 illegal immigrants a day free to stream across the border? Good thinking.
Regards,
Doyle I <~~~~~
So what else should we expect when the government declares war on terrorism?
Derrr.... MORE terrorism!