Could dope help the economy?

chopperharris

Some might not like to hear the ideas of people on this matter.

I am all for it , how about testing in scotland first just like poll taxes?

I drink and smoke , both are harmful yet legal and create a stream of revenue more than the expenditure on its negatives.I dont smoke dope , not through choice but because firstly its illegal and secondly I dont want to be around junkies and drug dealers.

Benefit-The savings being that dope heads will move to scotland , less dopeheads in the rest of the uk in theory means less crime there.... bonus and your rid of scumbags.

Benefit-It removes the court costs and police time freeing them up to police our streets more than using a pen and paper.

Benefit-Those with medical conditions that illegally self medicate with it will no longer be considered criminals.

Benefit-Reduced healthcare bill for prescription opiates , happier cancer patients with less side effects and weight gain.

Benefit-Added tourism.

Benefit-Removing the first rung of the ladder from drug dealers.

Benefit-Taxation akin to smoking , which would still be cheaper than buying from a dealer.Would bring billions to the coffers.

Benefit-Reduction in alcohol use and abuse , potentially.

I reckon the savings and cuts could easilly amount to 12 billion a year....more if those that dont do it today are only because of criminaltiy.

I can only see three arguable negatives here.Please feel free to add more.

Negs-Link between mental illness and long term use.Its no different to the drink and tobacco correlation results with mental illness.

Negs-A nation of non agressive zombies , consuming food in large quantities , sitting watching tv and too laid back to care what is going on around them...wait a minute this could actually be a benefit.Millions are doing that anyway without any dope apart from regular doses of soaps.

Negs-Gateway drug.I dont think it is really if its readilly available and away from drug dealers.

Thanks

VfM4meplse

This kind of thinking is dangerous and leads to mission creep. Illicit drug usage can be hugely damaging to the individual and the wider social implications are massive. To suggest legalising it for the sole purpose of adding another income stream to the Treasury is ludicrous.

Are you sure you haven't been smoking dope??

Cleaver

chopperharris wrote: »

Some might not like to hear the ideas of people on this matter.

I am all for it , how about testing in scotland first just like poll taxes?

I drink and smoke , both are harmful yet legal and create a stream of revenue more than the expenditure on its negatives.I dont smoke dope , not through choice but because firstly its illegal and secondly I dont want to be around junkies and drug dealers.

Benefit-The savings being that dope heads will move to scotland , less dopeheads in the rest of the uk in theory means less crime there.... bonus and your rid of scumbags.

Benefit-It removes the court costs and police time freeing them up to police our streets more than using a pen and paper.

Benefit-Those with medical conditions that illegally self medicate with it will no longer be considered criminals.

Benefit-Reduced healthcare bill for prescription opiates , happier cancer patients with less side effects and weight gain.

Benefit-Added tourism.

For where? Stairwells and student houses?

Benefit - increase in computer game sales, Snoop Dogg albums, WWF Wrestling DVDs. kit-kat chunkies and other munchie items.

Negative - stoned people are amongst the most annoying people on the planet.

Cleaver

VfM4meplse wrote: »

This kind of thinking is dangerous and leads to mission creep. Illicit drug usage can be hugely damaging to the individual and the wider social implications are massive. To suggest legalising it for the sole purpose of adding another income stream to the Treasury is ludicrous.

Where do you stand on crimilising alcohol and tobacco? Two far more damaging drugs for both personal health and society as a whole.

I don't use illegal drugs by the way, just interested in your argument.

lynzpower

Negs-A nation of non agressive zombies , consuming food in large quantities , sitting watching tv and too laid back to care what is going on around them...wait a minute this could actually be a benefit.Millions are doing that anyway without any dope apart from regular doses of soaps.

:rotfl:

The biggest smoker I knew got a first with distinctions in his degree. he was a real clever clogs, just super intelligent guy.

lynzpower

Cleaver wrote: »

Where do you stand on crimilising alcohol and tobacco? Two far more damaging drugs for both personal health and society as a whole.

I don't use illegal drugs by the way, just interested in your argument.

I would like to see alcohol banned :T

vivatifosi

I was thinking more along the lines of:

Benefit: you'd be too stoned to worry about the economy.

Negative: the Chawners would get the munchies and be even less inclined to get a job.

abaxas

Before we get into a heated discussion about drugs.

Remember that 'old' people often get prescription drugs that are far stronger, more addictive and often more harmful than pot.

Basically they walk into their doctors and get whatever they want legally.

Cleaver

abaxas wrote: »

Before we get into a heated discussion about drugs.

Remember that 'old' people often get prescription drugs that are far stronger, more addictive and often more harmful than pot.

Basically they walk into their doctors and get whatever they want legally.

For medicinal rather than recreational purposes though. Which is the clear distinction between the two scenarios.

lynzpower

vivatifosi wrote: »

I was thinking more along the lines of:

Benefit: you'd be too stoned to worry about the economy.

Negative: the Chawners would get the munchies and be even less inclined to get a job.

this is absolutely rubbish Ive smoked grass on and off for years- and been panicking about the economy for a long time LOL and managed to get myself a great degree, a host of fantastic jobs, always worked at least full time - have a brilliant relationship, a wonderful family. :beer::jNothing wrong in this corner

Would love it to be legalised here like it is in the Netherlands, do they have a problem with low aspiration? Not as far as I can see.

chewmylegoff

being that we're signatory to a load of international agreements on drugs, we actually cannot legalise drugs here. the best we could do would be to go with the dutch model where drugs are illegal, but they turn a blind eye as long as certain conditions are met.