DiabloFans

I cook great meth!

Just kidding. But really!

On the serious note, marijuana just became legal in the state above me (Washington) and Oregon would have followed but the measure lost by a mere 5%. Colorado has legalized marijuana, and more and more people around the world are starting to open up to the ideas of non-medical use of drugs, aka street drugs. Amsterdam is notoriously known for having cannabis shops and clubs and having a very lenient policy of drugs (to those who have been there, you know what I'm talking about). In general, most developed countries are starting to open up to this issue and, especially with the internet, you can say that more people are starting to "not care" as much.

So now I am going to ask you guys. What do you think about this? Should commercial drugs be legalized? Should all drugs be legal? Should there be a place where you can do psychelics? Where do you draw the line? Is it an issue that if you legalize one thing you have to legalize everything? If we legalize marijuana and it comes that we legalize mushrooms, acid, DMT (pretty much all psychelics), would we have to legalize meth, heroin, and, dare I say it, even PCP to be fair?

My view? I grew up in Oregon. Here in the northwest, everyone grows up with drugs right next to them. Mushrooms grow like wheat in the northwest, Portland used to be the meth capital of the world, and pot is very lenient here. To be honest, I was shocked when marijuana legalization didn't pass because Portland (which to anyone who is from Oregon knows that Portland is pretty much Oregon) is known for being "weird" and this would be the perfect thing for them to do. I personally think it should be a personal choice, and we should have regulations of when it effects others.

This issue would be a lot easier if alcohol was illegal since out of almost most commercial drugs, it probably is the most harmful. It is extremely bad for your overall health, overdosing is extremely easy, it's EXTREMELY addictive (in fact it is one of the two substances in the world that withdrawal effects can kill you), and the effects of it usually cause damage and reckless behavior (I live in a fraternity, I know this). With this in mind, the line is drawn very far away for society, yet a lot of people grew up watching Intervention and the news, where meth heads and heroin addicts unfortunately make up a lot of the time so the ideas of "drugs" is very touchy and looked down upon.

How do we solve everything? Legalize everything. That's right. Everything. PCP included (but for the love of god make it extremely hard to get).

Now why do this?

1. Morally, we need to do it. If you don't like drugs, don't do them. If someone wants to do drugs, let them do it. How someone acts in their home is entirely up to them. If someone wants to shoot up on heroin, let them! Just because one person made a personal choice to not use commercial drugs does not mean everyone has to follow suit.

2. Practicing drugs will be a lot safer. Did you know that unsafe sex is not the number one way AIDS is transmitted? Heroin is actually the number one way AIDS is spread. That's right, one of the most feared drugs out there just got scarier. Do you know how many lives can be saved if the government can put out safer ways to make people achieve their highs? What if you can buy marijuana without being worried that the dealer can lace it with substances that make you chemically addicted? Or use the whole "crack" trick and increase the quantity of it by adding some random shit to it? What if we were actually able to study the drugs to make them safer to use? Which leads me to my next point...

3. Medicine and therapy! First off, the general public would be surprised what goes into your medicine. They use box jellyfish venom to fight wrinkles. Yeah that's right, you read that right. The most potent and poisonous venom in the WORLD (that's right, Box Jellyfish are ranked number one in the most poisonous animals list) is used to help 50 year old women fight their midlife crisis. Why? BECAUSE IT WORKS! Stop thinking of drugs as drugs for a second and imagine them as chemicals because that's what they really are. The active ingredient in marijuana is tetrahydrocannabinol, which is actually extremely useful when it comes to battling side-effects of diseases, and unfortunately, in some states it's illegal because people fear stoners. The most potent psychedelic known to humans is dimethyltyptamine (DMT) is scheduled as a class I drug under the law and the easiest place to find it is... YOUR BRAIN! That's right folks! That near death experience you had where you went out of your body? That was actually an insane trip you had that your body put you under because it thought you were gonna die but you lived. I hate to hate on religion here, but fundamentalist Christians who claim to have seen Jesus, Hell, Buddha, etc before they died were just tripping really really hard on drugs that they fight to exterminate from society. Mushrooms? Studies believe that they started religion and they played a huge role in the founding in Hinduism (mushrooms grow very well in cow dung). These are chemicals that play a role in your brain. Like all chemicals, they have an input-output effect that can be manipulated to be of some help. Look at morphine and laughing gas! Remember how awesome those were? Those are DRUGS (I'm not sure about laughing gas, but morphine is used commercially all the time). STUDY THEM AND USE THEIR PROPERTIES FOR THE BETTER OF MANKIND! Stop limiting yourself!

4. A drug experience isn't actually all that bad. THC functions by turning on receptors in your brain, meaning that you are literally feeling an intense unregulated brain overdrive where thinking and brain functions just go crazy, meaning that thinking becomes your main source of entertainment (and music ). A lot people who consider them philosophical have went on a psychelic trip to "broaden" their mind so they can think in a different way (this isn't a hippie belief). Psychelic experiences can be life changing on the way you view the world. Adderall is used across colleges around the world to help them study for finals and midterms. Meth is an extreme version of adderall. Heroin... I don't know anything about heroin really except that it's commonly injected through needles and you get AIDS, but I don't know anything about the high you achieve. Drug effects can have a positive on the human psych. Call me crazy, call me a dreamer, call me anything you want, but I believe that sometime in the future marijuana will be recommended by psychologists to relieve stress for their patients. Ponder this for a second. When was the last time you met a stressed out stoner? The stereotype for stoners is that they are chill and tell everyone to chill the hell out. We have resources to help people's minds. USE THEM!

Well these are my points summarized in a very short amount of time with very little proof reading because I have a midterm later this week and I want to start studying. Again, what are your guys' opinions. With some luck, I hope the mods see this thread as a discussion thread and don't close this thread because I think this is a huge issue that needs to be discussed without the taboo it has upon on it now. Also I KNOW THIS IS A GAME FORUM so don't post that here. But just because it is doesn't mean we can't talk about it.

LET'S TALK ABOUT DRUGS!

"Morally, we need to do it. If you don't like drugs, don't do them. If someone wants to do drugs, let them do it. How someone acts in their home is entirely up to them."


How someone acts in their home isentirely up to them; the problem occurs when people smoke up outside (or smoke up first and then go out.) In the same way i don't want to be bothered by drunk people, i certainly don't want to be bothered by people who are drugged up.
On a side note, there are often product monographs for these types of products (at least, in their medicinal form) and they often have very unwanted side-effects. For example, marijuana is thought to have a detrimental affect on short term memory, etc...

Quote from zeroRooter

"Morally, we need to do it. If you don't like drugs, don't do them. If someone wants to do drugs, let them do it. How someone acts in their home is entirely up to them."


How someone acts in their home isentirely up to them; the problem occurs when people smoke up outside (or smoke up first and then go out.) In the same way i don't want to be bothered by drunk people, i certainly don't want to be bothered by people who are drugged up.
On a side note, there are often product monographs for these types of products (at least, in their medicinal form) and they often have very unwanted side-effects. For example, marijuana is thought to have a detrimental affect on short term memory, etc...

Very true. Almost everything out there has a negative side-effect. Name one thing that doesn't.

Also very true on how someone acts like in a public setting. When things begin to effect someone else, then it becomes an opinion problem. You would have to ensue some laws for being intoxicated or under the influence in public, whether this is a fine or something. Also driving under the influence would be completely unacceptable under all drugs.

Another thing is the establishing of drug based clubs. I'm pretty sure if all drugs were legal, clubs would be selling all the party drugs (alcohol, weed, cocaine, XTC) and there could be psychelic centers where you can order a room for four hours, do some shrooms and be able to chill out within a safe environment with people trained to take care of this stuff. I'm pretty sure a lot of hippies would have no problem working with this stuff and helping people have a good trip. When you move onto the more hardcore stuff (meth, heroin, PCP), research would have to be done to see how to perhaps have this in a controlled building setting.

Also I believe this country needs to change its drug education a great deal amount.

First things first, some "street" drugs have already been tested for medical benefits with surprising results. Cocaine can be used to treat wounds on children. LSD can treat alcoholism. Ecstasy for PTSD. Meth for ADHD. You get the point.

Should some drugs be made legal? Yes. Should there be further medical research into these drugs? Yes. If a drug has no negative medical effects, other than dependency and depletion of wallets everywhere, be made legal? Go for it.

All I'm saying is the government is wasting way too much money fighting drugs and would be a much better benefit towards our national debt if they heavily regulate it and tax it. It would be ironic if some of the drug tax money went towards healthcare and social security.

Would I do any of these drugs? No. Do I care if other people do these drugs? I don't give a flying shit if they did drugs IF they did them responsibly and didn't endanger others.

I am in no way endorsing the use of drugs, or drug paraphernalia.

Also, 5 Illegal Drugs with Surprisingly Wholesome Medical Uses.

Quote from Lt. Venom

First things first, some "street" drugs have already been tested for medical benefits with surprising results. Cocaine can be used to treat wounds on children. LSD can treat alcoholism. Ecstasy for PTSD. Meth for ADHD. You get the point.

Should some drugs be made legal? Yes. Should there be further medical research into these drugs? Yes. If a drug has no negative medical effects, other than dependency and depletion of wallets everywhere, be made legal? Go for it.

All I'm saying is the government is wasting way too much money fighting drugs and would be a much better benefit towards our national debt if they heavily regulate it and tax it. It would be ironic if some of the drug tax money went towards healthcare and social security.

Would I do any of these drugs? No. Do I care if other people do these drugs? I don't give a flying shit if they did drugs IF they did them responsibly and didn't endanger others.

I am in no way endorsing the use of drugs, or drug paraphernalia.

Also, 5 Illegal Drugs with Surprisingly Wholesome Medical Uses.

I agree with everything you said. However, let's just say there's a new drug called "ABC". This drug gives off an incredible high, however you don't feel pain when you're on this, you hallucinate, and you can get violent. This drug is proven to have no purpose in the medical field so it is 100% "bad" for you, yet the only reason why people use it is because of the high. ABC is injected into the blood stream and is a leader in spreading AIDS. In almost all cases, ABC is bad.

Should this drug be illegal?

Also the last question is phrased incorrectly. It should read "If a drug has no medical benefits, should it be illegal?"

EDIT: The last poll question has been CHANGED. Reread the question and change your answer if you wish. I don't want this poll to be incorrect. Sorry that I changed it, it's just that the question I originally had up there did not represent the question I wanted to ask.

The word drug is completely useless and muddy. So much of what we consume every day is a "drug".

Quote from Umpa

The word drug is completely useless and muddy. So much of what we consume every day is a "drug".

Indeed. Coffee is one of the world's most celebrated drugs out there. The term drug is defined as usually having a "medical, intoxicating, or performance enhancing" effect. You can put a lot of things into that category (in fact most of everything).

Making it illegal does not make anything easier. In fact, it makes things a lot harder on everyone. Through the use of the prescription system, permits, and privately owned facilities you can make commercial "drugs" functional in every day society.

Quote from Jaetch

I have a handful of great buddies (really awesome people, really), who have been absolutely thrown off-course in their lives simply because of drugs.

It appears my vote fit in with the majority's. Recreational drugs are fine, really, but as long as they don't destroy lives via uncontrollable addiction. I love video games, I can say it may be an addiction, but at least I'm biologically capable of controlling it. Some drugs mess with your head so much that you have to keep doing it in order to "feel" sane.

Research and education is key. Drugs that should be banned are the ones that are clearly hazardous to a person's immediate and longterm physical and mental health, and God forbid, the health of those near them. Yes, drugs can all negatively impact your health, but I'm talking about drugs like heroine and cocaine compared to those in the likes of marijuana and tobacco. There's a big difference in effect on your health between the two sides.

What about alcohol and tobacco? Should we ban those too? Everything that has a positive side has a negative side. Everything can ruin someone's life. Give me anything and I can tell you how.

Quote from Sigma

if its natural, unprocessed, none lethal and none addictive then it should not be illegal to grow, use or supply.

its not illegal to go buy Fruit, Veg, and Mushrooms. Yet Possession of "Magic Mushrooms" is illegal.
you can if you wanted to grow, dry and smoke a Tobacco plant, yet doing the same with a cannabis plant puts you behind bars.

Double standards should not be allowed.

So LSD shouldn't be legal because it's processed?

Also those people who vote "no" please voice your opinion! It's interesting to see the different points of views!

I don't think that anyone should have a right to tell someone else what to put into their own bodies.

If people choose to put substances into their bodies that can totally fuck their lives up, that is their problem, and they need to accept responsibility for their actions.

Quote from Azidonis

I don't think that anyone should have a right to tell someone else what to put into their own bodies.

If people choose to put substances into their bodies that can totally fuck their lives up, that is their problem, and they need to accept responsibility for their actions.

BaZing! Thank you

Quote from Azidonis

I don't think that anyone should have a right to tell someone else what to put into their own bodies.

If people choose to put substances into their bodies that can totally fuck their lives up, that is their problem, and they need to accept responsibility for their actions.

This. Plus, if everything was legalized, there would be more studies performed and more data would be available to everyone. At that point, people could make an educated decision.

Portugal has decriminalized all drugs with positive results. It's an obvious solution, but many people let their morals cloud their judgment in this case. Also, don't underestimate the power of the alcohol lobby. They already used tons of money to prevent legalization in California.

I think something we can all agree on is that people shouldn't be spending years in prison for possessing drugs. We know what our prisons do to people. Our recidivism rate is one of the worst. It's sad, and something a lot of people don't know, but we have for-profit prisons, and they get paid by our tax dollars per person they have in the prison. Yes, America has turned a prison system into a money-making scheme. Why do you think certain laws are so strict in some areas? They have an incentive to put more people in their prison, so they love the drug laws. Any major problem we have in the world can almost always be traced back to money.

Meanwhile many of our presidents have admitted to using illegal substance, yet most law enforcement, fire fighters, and other government workers have to take a polygraph. One of the questions asks about using illegal drugs, and if you answer yes, they won't even consider you.

All I can recommend is to get informed and get involved if you can. And I wouldn't recommend getting informed by way of mainstream media. They are part of the problem. After all, they are corporations.
Sorry this turned into a political rant, but I hope it inspires some to learn more about what's going on in this country. This isn't a pretty road we are on right now.

Quote from Slayardarklaws

...
But if it's not too addictive...

Dude, Dieting and Exercise can be addictive. Pain can become addictive. Homework can be addictive. ANYTHING can be addictive. If those things can become addictive, then there's no such thing as low addiction or high addiction. It's all about what makes you feel so damn fine.

I personally know somebody that has had their life ruined and is in rehab for an addiction to cleaning shoes. I'm actually dropping by tomorrow to see how they're doing. And, I'm wearing my "Clean" (I get them dry cleaned every time I wear them.) shoes and bringing my fishing shoes (They are the dirtiest shoes I own.) Reason being the fact that his therapist has asked me to bring them in as a test to see how far they've re-cooperated.

A little OCD on trying to keep your own shoes spotless is ok to an extent. An addiction to cleaning your own shoes, along with every shoe in sight, to spotless condition is off the (censor)ing wall. It's also the only way to make him feel really good, cleaning shoes is better than sex for him. It's an addiction because he can walk into a shoe store and act completely normal, until he sees a fellow customer with dirty shoes... Then he has to clean them in order to feel good and get an erection while doing so.

Another thing is that we are afraid to address is the social taboo on drugs. Drug education needs to change so it is not "don't do drugs". It should be informative of the positives and negatives of drugs. Have we forgotten the fact that drugs give you an incredible feeling that really nothing in this world can rival? There is a reason why people do this. Psychedelics can be a life changing experience on where you see the world in a completely different view. Marijuana can be a stress reliever and a great way to pass time. Cocaine, MDMA, and alcohol are great party drugs that make you have a better time. I have never seen or done meth, heroine, PCP or any of those to really have an opinion (although I would stay the fuck away from PCP). These are legitimate arguments.

These feelings aren't fake either. Would you say that a sugar rush is fake energy? No it's real. Everything is real. Magic mushrooms contributed to the promotion of early religion to all of you religious folks. The feelings you get from drugs are unmatched, and should not be seen as a downside. The reason they are addicting because THEY GIVE YOU GOOD FEELINGS. That is why people become addicted to things. People even get addicted to bad feelings! You are on a game forum because you probably dumped more time, feelings, and energy into a video game than a lot of stoners have put into their weed. It is not a sin to enjoy drugs.

If all drugs went legal I would put in an extra effort to live in the good part of town. I imagine the number of bums would grow as more people try drugs and end up destroying their lives. I hate most bums, especially the ones pan handling outside of shopping centers where they could get a job if they just walked through the fucking door. I have noticed more and more bums showing themselves in my area, to the point where I enjoy counting them now. Some of them have pretty funny signs, which earns them a some loot. Some come with their whole damn family, babies and all, they don't get shit. You have the wounded gimp ones who I feel bad for, but I give them the stink eye because I am a bad person. And then you have the ones with essay signs claiming their wife has cancer, I hate them the most, since cancer robbed me of family, and I just feel like they're lying. This one bum has his bed set up right on the mother fucking shoulder of the free way. I could high five him going 60 if I wanted.

I think the heavy hitters should stay illegal, the ones that can fuck up your life and make you lose all you have. It's never fun to see someone turn into a withering shell of who they once were, begging for more destruction. And the less bums the better.