ABC News special, "War on Drugs, A War On Ourselves With John Stossel."

email ^ | July 25, 2002 | John Stossel

[FreeTally]

I hate to sound like an ol' coot, but kids today are so stupid they can't tell the difference between buzzed and poisoned.

Aint that the truth, but it started back in the early 1990's. I knew kids in high school(private, religious school at that) who would huff propane(not often, but at parties). I was like, "What!?!? Are you crazy?" They'd do it, and pass out for a few minutes. Dumbasses!

[Khepera]

Cigarettes are more expensive than pot.

[Wolfie]

Doesn't stop 'em from trying. They even send undercover agents into the field, so to speak.

[eno_]

I have no doubt.

[FreeTally]

Its not such a stretch. Round these parts, the cops patrol the local pastures looking for mushroom pickers.

Funny thing is, while its growing in the field, no problem. The second you pick it, you are a criminal. Don't you love it!?

[Chemist_Geek]

kids today are so stupid they can't tell the difference between buzzed and poisoned.

Isn't that the truth!

[EBUCK]

What? What makes you think that? A single cig costs 25-50 cents. A joint can go from anywhere between 5 and 10 dollars. Think about it.

EBUCK

[tpaine]

Ha! You are perpetually one step ahead. The futility of controlling shrooms is just one rainy night away from the futility of controlling cow pies.

---

Pie control will be no problem in our authoritive new administration. Ve vill simply assign a pooper scooper citizen to every unit, with quotas to be filled.
- No flops, no slops.

[zeugma]

would legalizing drugs make it easier to get them?

Probably not. In many areas of the country it is easier to get pot than beer for those underage.

For older folx, it might make it somewhat more available, but beyond the initial spike as it was legalized, use would probably remain about what it is now. Overall, given the massive evil that comes from the WOD, legalization is the only sane solution. This is of course why it won't happen.

[jodorowsky]

Stossel Bump!

Freepers should check this out.

His specials are excellent propaganda for liberty.

[gracie1]

Pie control will be no problem in our authoritive new administration. Ve vill simply assign a pooper scooper citizen to every unit, with quotas to be filled. - No flops, no slops.

I guess this means the end of cowpie bingo as a fundraiser!

Oh yeah, I forgot, PETA already nixed that one first!

[robertpaulsen]

Are you suggesting the legalization of all drugs?

[William Terrell]

I have a quick question for all of those that think ending the war on drugs is the best idea since pizza: would legalizing drugs make it easier to get them?

Yes. But the assumption in your question is that more people will use them if they are easier to get them. And the (dare I say a priori?) assumption beneath that is people are such undiciplined and corruptable pools of lusting protoplasm, that, at the mere hint of a sanctionless way of destroying themselves and society, they'll gobble it up out of a mindless reflex.

To this I say bullshit.

[eno_]

I am. They used to be legal. And that was before inner cities became gang-banger hell holes. Moreover, extremely harmful intoxicants like gasoline are legal and there is no practical way to keep addicts from getting high that way. That means there is no reason to think drug availability, or lack of it, changes addicts' behavior.

End the value of drugs as contraband, and cities with gang problems will greatly benefit.

[Khepera]

You think about this.

Cigarettes cost 3.50 a pack (Indiana)
Average smoker 1.5 packs a day (3.5*1.5)*365days=1916.25
(I know people who smoke more than 2 packs a day)

Pot is $120 an Ounce (Again Indiana)

1 person smoking an average of a few hits (using a 1 hitter) a day can make an oz last 2 months without feeling deprived.(I know folks who smoke every day and they told me how much. They don't share with anyone just do it themselves)

120*6mo=720

Now lets say this is a little low and they smoke 1.5 Ounces each month (Remember they don't share any with anyone)
175*6mo=1050

OK lets say this amount really really low and they really smoke 1 OZ by themselves each month. 120*12mo=1440

OK lets say they smoke 1.5 ounces a month for 12 months
180*12mo=2160
so now they have spent 243.00 more than if they smoked cigarettes and had a whole lot more fun.

Now if you know someone who never shares their pot and smokes more than that I would be very surprised. They must be wasted all the time.

[dead]

Funny thing is, while its growing in the field, no problem.

I wouldn’t be so sure about that. If John Law decides he wants your land, those mushrooms will be considered a zero-tolerance violation, allowing government confiscation of your property.

For the children and whatnot.

[StriperSniper]

Stop giving them more ideas! ;-)

[EBUCK]

Pot per weight is far more expensive than tobbacco. Period. Now if a cig smoker smokes 2,3, or 20 packs a day of course his/her habit will cost more.

I do see your point, however hidden it may be, cig addicts are paying more for their habbit than pot smokers are. Whick only serves to illustrate the hypocrisy of the WOPot.

EBUCK

[Khepera]

Thank you for recognizing my point as valid. Of course someone who rolls big fat joints and lets most of the material burn into the air would use a lot more and get less out of it but someone who conserves is likely to save a lot. Pot per weight is more expensive but takes a lot less to do the job, so to speak.

I smoke 2 packs of cigarettes a day and my friend smokes only pot. He told me how much he spends and it is less than I do and I know he gets high every day. I don't even get high on the cigarettes. Man I always get ripped off.

[GSWarrior]

I'm there!