Man, as a creature, is inherently bored. Since the dawn of time, it has been the natural instinct of
man to find alternative methods to enhance his being. The many means by which man has turned to
include sex, gambling, and the consumption of substances beyond the requirements of nutrition. The
consumption of substances can be further broken down into legal and illegal substances. The
question then becomes, who are we to place labels on certain substances by deeming them legal and
prohibit others by creating penalties for their use?
The issue of prohibition is certainly not a new one to our nation. In 1919, the 18th Amendment
prohibited the manufacture, sale or transportation of alcoholic beverages. 'Suddenly honest,
responsible Americans who just wanted a drink, were turned into criminals. Respectable bars
became underground speak-easys, and legitimate liquor manufacturers were replaced by criminal
bootleggers.' Gang warfare, bribery, and criminal activity reached an all-time high.
Standards on
illegal alcohol were much lower than those on the previously legal alcohol which led to the blinding or
death of many consumers. Finally in 1933, politicians buckled and repealed the 18th Amendment.
The Prohibition attempt of the early 20th century provides the perfect historical support for the
decriminalization of drugs.
'Prohibition will work great injury to the cause of temperance. It is a species of intemperance within
itself, for it goes beyond the bounds of reason in that it attempts to control a man's appetite by
legislation, and makes a crime out of things that are not crimes. A Prohibition law strikes a blow at
the very principles upon which our government was founded.'
The rise in violent crime over the years has been a concern to most. A major cause of this increase in
crime is the illegal trafficking of drugs. As violent...
Why drugs should be legalized
I agree with the direction your going in. I firmly believe in free will, and when compared to "THE LESSER OF THE EVILS" I personally feel that good ol "Mary Jane" is alot less dangerious than alcohol. When is the last time you heard of anyone getting killed over a joint? The worse Ive ever seen is that a man will eat himself out of house and home. A pot smoker is by far a lot less dangerious than an alcoholic, and alcohol is legal. The biggest problem to over come is the alcohol lobiest who represent thier product and fight to keep pot illegal because they know that for it to become legal would mean losing millions of dollars in alcohol sales. GOOD ISSUE TO ARGUE !!!
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