Could dope help the economy?

lynzpower

mardatha wrote: »

Why don't you do what you like but keep it south of the border and keep Scotland out of it ?

I tell you what, you lot can keep the booze, the deep fried mars bars and buckfast for breakfast......

tomterm8

mardatha wrote: »

Why don't you do what you like but keep it south of the border and keep Scotland out of it ?

But you don't keep people like Crash Gordon north of the border, do you? You let them come down here, and mess up England. Turn about is fair play.

oldMcDonald

What on earth is buckfast?

treliac

oldMcDonald wrote: »

What on earth is buckfast?

Do you smoke it or inject?

lynzpower

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buckfast_Tonic_Wine

Within the above areas, Buckfast is alleged to be the drink of choice for drinkers who are prone to committing anti-social behaviour when drunk, especially underage drinkers. Its high strength (15% ABV/14.8% in the Republic of Ireland), relatively low price and sweetness are characteristics that traditionally appeal to underage drinkers (similar to other 'problem drinks' alcopops and cider).[3]
Many politicians and social activists single out Buckfast Tonic Wine as being particularly responsible for crime, disorder, and general social deprivation in these communities (although in reality, Buckfast is only one of a number of brands consumed abusively and accounts for only 0.5% of alcohol sales in Scotland, although the figure is markedly higher in Lanarkshire - see above). [4] Helen Liddell, former Secretary of State for Scotland, even called for the wine to be banned. The then Scottish Justice Minister, Cathy Jamieson MSP, suggested that retailers should stop selling Buckfast. On a subsequent visit to Auchinleck, a town within her constituency, she faced an impromptu demonstration by teenagers chanting "Don't ban Buckie".[5] Jamieson subsequently received correspondence from lawyers acting on behalf of J Chandler & Co., the Andover-based distributors of Buckfast. [6] A further consequence was that Buckfast sales increased substantially in the months following her comments.[4

Aside from 'Buckie', other nicknames include 'tonic', 'commotion lotion' and 'wreck-the-hoose juice

Loads of my scottish mates drink it, its totally rank.

oldMcDonald

'wreck-the-hoose juice':rotfl:

Sounds lovely!

oldMcDonald

mewbie wrote: »

Yes. Legalise it and stop associated crime. Remove link between cannabis and other more harmful profitable drugs for the dealers. Regulate the strength to protect vulnerable people. Tax and licence it the same as alchohol and tobacco.

There is something very wrong with the laws where someone smoking a bit of blow (as I believe the young folk might reefer to it) can be arrested and get a criminal record.

Mewbie, number one on my 'Top Ten List' was going to be either you or Dopester. I think you have just taken it.

Hmmm....does Dopester has anything to add to this post?;)

Cleaver

mewbie wrote: »

There is something very wrong with the laws where someone smoking a bit of blow (as I believe the young folk might reefer to it) can be arrested and get a criminal record.

Loving that.

amcluesent

I shall be keeping a look out at the offy for this!

Cleaver

MrFonzerelli wrote: »

If banning addictive or harmful drugs, one could also ban coffee, tea and chocolate..

My thoughts are that all but the most harmful could/should be legalised, but taxed in such a way to account for the externalities of their use. The tax revenues could then help pay for the care of those that need it, whilst depriving criminal gangs of revenue.

That was my thoughts. And it's not just drugs really. Pizzas aren't illegal, but if you're eating three a day then you're going to do yourself a lot of harm. The answer to obesity is to inform, educate and make people aware of their actions. Which is the same as drugs really.

There are certain substances (crack, heroin, cyrstal meth etc.) which I think the vast majority of people would agree are just pretty pointless, horrible and detrimental to health and your life whichever way you look at them and should be always illegal. However, whilst I have never really had a joint in my life (the odd toke when I was 14 or so, but never liked it), but cannot see any difference between enjoying the odd spliff and having the odd beer. Legalise it and tax it I say.