U.S. rattled as Mexico drug war bleeds over border

[HAL 9000 96]

Common denominators rule.

I prefer the term the "usual suspects"

You mean its not really the entire population to blame?

Ohh no no no I've never liked to generalize, I'm not one of "those"

[mRx 16]

Easiest way to put every drug cartel and drug gang out of business is to decriminalize drugs.

[Peikko 1,575]

Easiest way to put every drug cartel and drug gang out of business is to decriminalize drugs.

No, you would have to legalize and create a legal drug industry - complete with warning labels and plenty of accurate information as to the potential dangers. Even then, it's hard to say if it would work completely although I am sure there is hope that the illegal drug trade would seek an easier market. However, one thing is for sure, simply doing what we have been is not working.

Edited March 2, 2009 by Madame Cleo

[HAL 9000 96]

Easiest way to put every drug cartel and drug gang out of business is to decriminalize drugs.

It would be certainly the fastest way... don't know about easy though

[EstebanTrabajos 7]

Alcohol and tobacco were illegal at some point in history...we should learn from the past

[HAL 9000 96]

Still have to do something about the demand side to really make sure the supply side does go out of business instead of transform into the newly legalized supplier.

[mRx 16]

Easiest way to put every drug cartel and drug gang out of business is to decriminalize drugs.

No, you would have to legalize and create a legal drug industry - complete with warning labels and plenty of accurate information as to the potential dangers. Even then, it's hard to say if it would work completely although I am sure there is hope that the illegal drug trade would seek an easier market. However, one thing is for sure, simply doing what we have been is not working.

To hell with regulation and the FDA. It would keep the prices tremendously high, and the black market would still be able to sell it for less, and then we'd be back to square one with the gangs and cartels.

[Peikko 1,575]

If you don't create a legal drug industry, how does that get rid of the 'black market'?

As for the regulations, you don't think they are going to get rid of the regulations relating to the recreational drugs we use legally now do you? You have this obsession with the free market that blinds you to any downside it seems.

[mRx 16]

What is a legal market? One that has the government's blessing to operate with all the required permission slips? Well, that costs money. The higher the costs, the more prospectives there are for alternate markets, which would sidestep the bureaucracy. The way they regulate Rx here now, it's no wonder people are ordering them from overseas, where they don't face the FDA mark-up. It's only a matter of time before that loophole is closed for good as well.

Parents are responsible for their children, and adults are responsible for themselves. They should be free to do as they please as long as they're not violating anyone's person or property. The way I see it, it's that simple. This notion that society is responsible for individuals, and individuals must conform to what society deems right or moral is collectivist vomit.

[HAL 9000 96]

It can get taxed as any other product without ridiculous markup. Black market cigarettes, for example... are cheaper than store cigs... but not in a significant amount as far as I am told and see on the streets.

Besides... the cost savings from law enforcement manhours in itself would make up for any price discrepancy anyhow... as well as having a taxable product to add to the treasury and likely, better drug prevention programs.

[mRx 16]

That would be a good step, I think.

Another huge benefit of legalizing drugs would be that it would virtually bankrupt the Taliban, which would save us lives and billions of dollars.

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

Alcohol and tobacco were illegal at some point in history...we should learn from the past

And probably should be again, though they will kill me around here if they know I said it! Oh, okay! Wine can stay legal!

[Peikko 1,575]

That would be a good step, I think.

Another huge benefit of legalizing drugs would be that it would virtually bankrupt the Taliban, which would save us lives and billions of dollars.

You didn't say 'legalize' you said, dicriminalize. Completely different scenarios. So you don't agree with the governmental campaigns on cigarettes and alcohol use either then? Excellent, that's more money down the drain.

[Peikko 1,575]

There is a total difference between not allowing something because it's not 'right or moral' - I couldn't agree more and educating people to the reality and risks for certain forms of behaviour. The cigarette industry has illustrated just how truthful they want to be, not to mention creating more addictive versions of their product in order to sell more product. Not in the interests of anyone except the coffers of a very few.

[I'm Gone 60]

Easiest way to put every drug cartel and drug gang out of business is to decriminalize drugs.

No, you would have to legalize and create a legal drug industry

Can't wait for the NASCAR Crystal Meth 500 LOL