QUOTE (user23 @ Oct 29 2009, 08:25 AM)
The Government's chief drug adviser has suggested that Ecstasy, LSD and cannabis are less dangerous than both alcohol and cigarettes. Is it time to for the Police and Council to start looking at the possibility of a Amsterdam style "coffee Shop" in Newbury? Some might think it's a solution to decrease the binge drinking culture they feel is now prevalent in our society.
In my experience, many that enjoy the binge drinking so loathed in the press and elsewhere, are likely to enjoy experimenting with said drugs as well. The deregulation argument was used for drinking, but it seems to have made matters worse to police.
The danger of one thing compared to another, shouldn't in my view, necessarily mean that either should be treated any lighter. It is likely that if all the above were only discovered now, none would be made legal.
All that being said, the 'war on drugs' is failing and perhaps the biggest argument for some form of legalisation, would be to reduce the amount of crime that surrounds the illegal drugs trade. I understand that 80% of burglaries are committed to fund drug users habits. If drugs were made cheaper. Perhaps the incidence of burglaries would fall. Having said that, look at the impact of cheap alcohol is having on society.
QUOTE (Simon @ Oct 29 2009, 12:28 PM)
Even though i dont agree with pot cafes, i do think that certain drugs should be legalised and taxed removing the criminal activity away from the culture and helping the finances of this country.
Having alcohol and nicotine legal hasn't removed the illegal trade in them.