tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2559260500579382213.post1340668632615089930..comments2024-03-23T13:18:17.693-05:00Comments on Anybody Want A Peanut?: Foreseeable gang warcherenkovhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15355986781478585611noreply@blogger.comBlogger14125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2559260500579382213.post-89178038883603521742011-07-17T01:31:49.219-05:002011-07-17T01:31:49.219-05:00I'm a pretty strong proponent of legalization ...I'm a pretty strong proponent of legalization of marijuana at least, though I don't feel the same way about harder drugs for various rigorously self-examined reasons. <br /><br />For the record I strongly dislike pot, so I don't own a horse running in that race -- I just have yet to see any argument in favour of its criminalization that actually holds up or makes sense.<br /><br />So a combo of legalizing pot and improving addictions treatments is sort of what I aim for. I wish I could find this study now -- there was once a study in the U.S. that came to the conclusion that financing addictions treatments instead of "the war on drugs" would produce significantly better, and more cost-effective, improvements across the board -- including crime reduction. <br /><br />At the end of the day, my general observation is that addiction is the driving force behind almost all the ills in our society. We can't keep treating the symptoms (crime, youth violence, poverty, child welfare, etc.) while ignoring -- and indeed, continually underfunding -- treatment for the underlying disease.Melissa Martinnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2559260500579382213.post-71942842307224899072011-07-14T09:09:09.034-05:002011-07-14T09:09:09.034-05:00Reed, I doubt that any major party would be bold e...Reed, I doubt that any major party would be bold enough to propose legalizing or decriminalizing pot. At least at this stage. Maybe sometime down the road.cherenkovhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15355986781478585611noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2559260500579382213.post-47070215273263357922011-07-13T23:36:59.251-05:002011-07-13T23:36:59.251-05:00The problem is, if left alone innocent bystanders ...The problem is, if left alone innocent bystanders will surely suffer. That is not an option. I do agree with de-criminalization and (in some cases like pot) legalization. It is unfortunate that the government in power right now in Canada is against it (ridiculously so) when now would be the perfect time to do so (especially with public opinion in the USA high on the idea.. no pun intended)reedsolomon.matr1x at gmail.comhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17833240911634788354noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2559260500579382213.post-11717898988792291492011-07-09T09:46:18.097-05:002011-07-09T09:46:18.097-05:00See, that's the problem. Libertarians aren...See, that's the problem. Libertarians aren't anarchists. We believe in the rule of law and that people should be held accountable for their actions. We don't believe in senseless laws though.Gustav Nelsonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2559260500579382213.post-10906280436404205592011-07-09T09:07:28.109-05:002011-07-09T09:07:28.109-05:00Maybe because some believe good will prevail over ...Maybe because some believe good will prevail over bad when there are no rules in society. Just a thought .Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2559260500579382213.post-42217333060690097842011-07-09T06:36:22.849-05:002011-07-09T06:36:22.849-05:00I figured as much, but still was wondering why any...I figured as much, but still was wondering why anyway.Gustav Nelsonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2559260500579382213.post-87361019290986793962011-07-09T00:10:52.405-05:002011-07-09T00:10:52.405-05:00I think you know this, but just to clarify: I don&...I think you know this, but just to clarify: I don't personally think Libertarians are nut jobs .. just joking about the typical reaction. Eg. Ron Paul has more common sense than any other Republican candidate, but the mainstream view him as the old guy with the crazy ideas.cherenkovhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15355986781478585611noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2559260500579382213.post-84740621947404999532011-07-07T11:11:17.214-05:002011-07-07T11:11:17.214-05:00Why is it that us libertarians are called the nut ...Why is it that us libertarians are called the nut jobs, but the ones who want rule your life are accepted?<br /><br />Good post. Legalizing would be the way to go. What's the harm in trying it out? Couldn't be worse than the mess that's already created.Gustav Nelsonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2559260500579382213.post-78630715975762873452011-07-06T09:01:57.095-05:002011-07-06T09:01:57.095-05:00cherenkov, you are right, I have my terms mixed-up...cherenkov, you are right, I have my terms mixed-up. De-crim means it not a criminal offense but may still carry a fine, like a traffic ticket, this is what has been done in other countires. Legalization means regulation like alcohol or tobacco.<br /><br />If you really want it out of the hands of gangs it should be de-crimanalized and de-regulated, like salvia.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2559260500579382213.post-22557448745339615552011-07-05T22:21:38.434-05:002011-07-05T22:21:38.434-05:00Anon, I may be mistaken, but my understanding was ...Anon, I may be mistaken, but my understanding was that legalization was a step further than decriminalization. I.e. decriminalization is akin to turning a blind eye, whereas legalization is actually saying it's okay to do it. If it's legalized, we can tax it, whereas if it's only decriminalized there is no basis to regulate and tax it because it's not technically legal.<br /><br />Marty: that's not helping dispel the rumours that you're the Black Rod. Thanks for the link though, I had forgotten about that post.<br /><br />JD: You have a good point. The potential trade and travel ramifications need to be considered, but we don't necessarily have to shape our policy according to theirs. Some deft diplomacy may help.cherenkovhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15355986781478585611noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2559260500579382213.post-76187965767080377822011-07-05T18:44:38.410-05:002011-07-05T18:44:38.410-05:00A certain amount of de-criminalization probably ma...A certain amount of de-criminalization probably makes sense. I don't speak as a self-interested party in this as I have never used anything in the past.<br /><br />The thought that the U.S. would retaliate for laws in regards to Canadian citizens has to be seen through the prism of Prohibition. We loosened our laws for our reasons. We can't be in lockstep with them on this as we have a drug problem in Canada.<br /><br />We certainly see it here in Manitoba. It is time we learned that arresting the gangs doesn't eliminate the demand.John Dobbinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16469872007840292315noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2559260500579382213.post-26266808099350287072011-07-05T18:27:58.076-05:002011-07-05T18:27:58.076-05:00Don't forget that the entree for the RM to Man...Don't forget that the entree for the RM to Manitoba was through the fledgling Bandidos, and was first reported on by a blog way ahead of MSM over4 years ago<br /><br />http://blackrod.blogspot.com/2007/06/tales-from-leather-set-krista-loses.htmlThe Great Canadian Talk Showhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06121590849889997357noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2559260500579382213.post-86113707187327008322011-07-05T15:02:33.986-05:002011-07-05T15:02:33.986-05:00Same anon as above...
In countries where drugs (b...Same anon as above...<br /><br />In countries where drugs (besides the usual caffine, alcohol and tobacco) have been de-criminalized to some point there has been a reduction in drug related crime and health issues, the evidence is there.<br /><br />http://www.salon.com/news/opinion/glenn_greenwald/2009/04/26/portugal<br /><br />http://reason.com/archives/2009/06/22/drug-decriminalization-in-port<br /><br />http://www.cato.org/pub_display.php?pub_id=10080Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2559260500579382213.post-36797062075486054552011-07-05T14:55:54.430-05:002011-07-05T14:55:54.430-05:00The reality is that I can hgo outside of my office...The reality is that I can hgo outside of my office and get pot, crack or meth in 5 minutes, drugs are already easy to get. <br /><br />Don't just legalize then, de-criminalize them, that takes them out of the hands of the gangs. If they are only legalized you will still have a gray market like there is with cigarettes and hence gangs will still be involved.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com