[HeyZuess]

In some ways I agree. I believe while there are still huge issues with the manufacturing, cultivation etc of drugs, that there are still a multitude of issues which we need to deal with first. That's why I am an advocate of decriminalization, so we sort those issues first.

I have had first hand experience of dealing with immediate family members and friends who have been addicted to legal drugs like alcohol, and illegal drugs like meth. The impact that addiction can have on others who are not addicts is quite disturbing and I have had a mild experience to say the least. I have even struggled with my own addictions.

I think drugs like marijuana is ok, but a drug like meth oh no that's just not good at all. Even alcohol I question a lot, even a quick google search suggest 40% of murders are committed in the USA while under its influence.

Also there are questions about how drugs can be legally sold, I read an article the other day that San Francisco was stopping tax hikes on marijuana stores because of the rise of the illegal marijuana trade. When governments get involved the outcomes are not always as expected. Would legalizing and taxing cocaine for example really stop the mass murders and gang violence in South and Central Americas.

Decriminalize, treat the people with addiction rather than locking them up for possession, educate, etc. That's my thinking.

[LinuxBender]

I can see where you are coming from and it makes sense to me. I personally am not a fan of decriminalization as it keeps the control and power of drugs in the hands of the pharmaceutical and medical industries. They can still abuse that power. I personally would prefer to move that power and the potential abuse to the individual at their own legal discretion.

I believe an alternate solution to somewhat mitigate the risks you mention would be an insurance system whether private or public funded that incentivizes good health. Not just good health in the sense of getting off of and staying off of opiates, but also things like sugar, alcohol, starchy processed foods, etc... People that prove they are making progress towards being and staying healthy get lower insurance rates, lower federal income taxes and probably some other realistic benefits. But again, I can see where you are coming from. I have lost people I care about to drugs and alcohol and I empathize for others that have also lost people they care about. It is a vicious cycle that seems to be never ending. I hope that some day we start doing different things to try to break those cycles.