DILEMMAS CONFRONTING ADVOCATES OF LEGALISATION
Who wants what?
It is not difficult to argue legalisation since it is accompanied by a large number of negative effects on the individual, the family and society.On the other hand, it may be more difficult to argue against the advocates of legalisation as a whole, since they are not a unified group and entertain in their group a number of different proposals.
They argue for legalisation but then immediately start setting up restrictions and have different views on, for example:
- WHICH drugs should be legalised?
Are ALL drugs to be sold free? Only cannabis, opium, morphine, heroin and cocaine? What about crack? Should also synthetic drugs like amphetamines, PCP, LSD, ICE, CRANK, MDMA, just to mention a few, be freely available? Should also prescribed drugs like Valium be sold free? - WHO is to be responsible for the quality
and strength of the drugs?
If weak cannabis is sold, no one will buy it. A black market of strong cannabis will be set up across the street. On the other hand, who will take the responsibility for selling extremely potent drugs? - Are there going to be any age restrictions?
Will it be OK for 5 year olds to buy heroin? If not, how will we keep youngsters away from something that is easy for adults to get a hold of? - How are drug-prices to be set?
If too expensive - a black market is set up! On the other hand - if too cheap - an unwanted rise in consumption. Are drug to be taxed? If yes, are those taxes supposed to cover societys costs of health care a.s.o? In that case, the prices will be have to be set very high and then we're back to creating room for a black market with cheap drugs. - Are drugs to be sold by anyone or in special
state drugstores?
Will there be room for private profit making in drug trade? If yes, how to avoid the now illegal drug cartels overnight becoming international monopoly enterprises with all steps from growing, transportation a.s.o. already in function? If no, does anyone think that the same cartels suddenly will give up their lucrative source of income? - Should only consumption and not trafficking
and dealing be legal?
It is illogical to keep trade forbidden in something that is legal to consume. On the other hand, if trafficking and dealing are allowed... - Should certain groups with sensitive professions
be governed by special restrictions?
Some of the most commonly consumed drugs stay in the body for a long period. That means that people with professions. concerning public safety like airline pilots, nuclear plantguards, surgeons, a.s.o can be affected during a long time and should therefore be restricted form using drugs. - Are there to be ANY kind of restrictions
at all?
Any restriction increases the risk of a black market. But on the other hand, who wants ALL drugs to be let totally free?
The above examples indicate the virtual impossibility of setting the limits which some types of legalisation would require.
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