tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30752286.post5335876637260754372..comments2023-05-29T07:57:01.804-06:00Comments on The Front Porch: Decriminalizing Drugs: Should America Consider It?Rebecca Valentinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14152618745135315858noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30752286.post-13430434323664851252009-04-29T12:12:00.000-06:002009-04-29T12:12:00.000-06:00Hear, hear! As a former undercover narcotics offic...Hear, hear! As a former undercover narcotics officer, I can personally attest to the utter stupidity, waste and inanity of our current drug policy. The other issue -- and a very real one right now -- is that if we decriminalized at least minor drug use, such as marijuana, we could then also regulate its trade. That means assurance of safety (so no more PCP-laced joints that cause permanent peak-outs and brain damage) of the supply, along with the ability to tax it. That revenue stream looks mighty good on top of the zillions of dollars and lives lost to the unwinnable attempt to enforce these laws. Economics alone dictates that this, along with emptying prisons of nonviolent drug offenders, is the way to go. When will Americans learn that, no matter how much we wish we could, we will NEVER be able to legislate morality. Does the name "Prohibition" ring a bell for anyone? That was actually adopted as a Constitutional amendment, and ended up being the worst legal fiasco ever. It was short-sighted and wrong-headed then, and it's short-sighted and wrong-headed as a continuing approach now. Thanks for tackling this touchy subject.Mary A. Shaferhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16713863367025839651noreply@blogger.com