Why do governments prohibit drugs?

[LucidFlight]

Those in power are currently stuck in a feedback loop of telling themselves just how bad drugs are. Perpetuating this message through sensationalist media is a good way to spread the fear and ignorance, as well as to hear their own message and agree with themselves about just how right they are.

[Santa_Claus]

Stupid always want to be protected from there own stupidity by someone. and even worse once they breed stupid people. "Think of the children!" - well, if you have bred a stupid kid, then WTF does it have to do with me?

Just say "I've had enough".

[Girlysprite]

As for softdrugs, I indeed do not understand why it has been banned. As for harddrugs, I can kinda understand. You can get addicted to them quickly to many of them, and they really affect your functioning when using small amounts and can pose a serious health risk. After all, heavy medicins are also not allowed on a free market, because of the effects they have on the users, which make them unfit for recreational use.

[hiyymer]

Historically, the objection to marijuana was a racist campaign against Black people and Mexicans.

That just leads to the question about why governments should object to Black people and Mexicans. Apart from the racism of the people involved, it's probably economic.

People used to think that it was unconstitutional to do so, or they probably would have done it sooner. The first drug law was regulation, not prohibition. The southern sheriffs came up to washington to testify about drug crazed black men raping white women. It sure helped get it passed.

[RESiNATE]

As for softdrugs, I indeed do not understand why it has been banned. As for harddrugs, I can kinda understand. You can get addicted to them quickly to many of them, and they really affect your functioning when using small amounts and can pose a serious health risk. After all, heavy medicins are also not allowed on a free market, because of the effects they have on the users, which make them unfit for recreational use.

(my bold)

This is incorrect.
Heroin is no more - in fact, a great deal less - addictive than caffeiene or tobacco. The 'addiction' in many cases is caused by the user needing to feel 'normal' during the come-down stage. Chasing the come-down becomes habitual and so the 'addiction' thus arises.

Prescription drug abuse is way, way more common than illicit drug abuse. The number of overdoses that occur from prescription drug abuse outweighs illicit drug overdose 27,000 to 5,000.

The 'racism against Mexicans' was just a handy by-line for the those wanting marijuana outlawed - a bit like the 'useless' information about Bin Laden using his wife as a shield...just extra propaganda to 'justify' the killing of him (which I guess was a good thing...does that mean we can stop sending our troops in to die for no reason other than control of oil and opium?...another thread for another time.

Hemp was outlawed in 1937 because it threatened the corporate interests of William Randolph Hearst and Dupont. Google it up and do some research.

I could go on for hours, but I have work in the morning so I won't lol

Res...

[Mysturji]

Why do governments prohibit drugs (but not alcohol and tobacco)?

I was reading this excellent article and it reminded me I've never really been convinced of the reasons governments ban drugs.

• Is it that they genuinely think drugs are more dangerous than other accepted risks, so wish to only protect us?
• Is it because they believe that doing drugs is unnatural?
• Is it linked to long-dead religiosity? - Hedonism is sinful, therefore all drugs are bad?
• Is it purely a form of social control, perhaps one of many unnecessary laws to keep us fully in our place?
• Is it because they fear speaking out against prohibition... and fear losing their comfy political life as a result?
• Is it because of blinkered thinking? They were already on the treadmill of prohibition when they entered politics. We've had prohibition for as long as anyone can remember and they're just constantly trying to plug leaks. Basically, is it that they can't see the wood for the trees?
• Is it because of the shockingly poor scientific literacy among politicians and the public in general?
• Is it because drugs are actually bad for you, but... insert your reason here why alcohol and tobacco are excluded?

OK... it's probably many/all of those reasons and more.

Thoughts?

3, 4, 5, 6 & 7 and some others I can't think of at the moment.
WHY ISN'T THIS A POLL???questionmark

[RESiNATE]

WHY ISN'T THIS A POLL???questionmark

Because, dear friend, it would be a forgone conclusion ( <-- just wanted an excuse to use that smilie lol)

But it would, wouldn't it

[RESiNATE]

Apologies - I have stumbled across this thread at a time when I should have been in bed about two hours ago, so if I am repeating anything that someone else has said, I am sorry:

There are two definite reasons why cannabis (in particular) is criminalised, and one theoretical reason (my own theory).

1. It would destroy the petrochemical industry practically over-night
2. It would destroy the pharmaceutical industry practically over-night
(3. It would open people's minds...mostly)

I could go on and on and on about this, one of my favourite topics of discussion, forever...but OMG LOOK AT THE TIME!!!

In short - money and only money,

Res...

[Svartalf]

Cannabis destroys people's mind a lot less than, say MDMA or cocaine...

[Tero]

How else are the politicians going to be successful hypocrites? You can't just give the masses everything!

[mistermack]

I don't think that there is any mysterious reason.

I know politicians lie and lie, but sometimes they also tell the truth, when there is no advantage in a lie.

They ban drugs because they see the harm that addiction causes. They see the lives that are hopelessly wrecked, and the sheer misery of addicts and their families.

I know that not everybody gets addicted to addictive drugs. That's the difficult bit.
Do we ban something that some people can get pleasure from, just because it wrecks the lives of others? Well, the answer is yes, that's what they do. You might not agree with it, but that's what they are doing. There is no sub-plot.

And they ban weed because it DOES lead many people on to hard addictive drugs. And it harms the brains of people, who start on it young.
Again no mystery. The stated reason is the real reason. Just now and again, that happens.

[Hermit]

I don't think that there is any mysterious reason.

I know politicians lie and lie, but sometimes they also tell the truth, when there is no advantage in a lie.

They ban drugs because they see the harm that addiction causes. They see the lives that are hopelessly wrecked, and the sheer misery of addicts and their families.

I know that not everybody gets addicted to addictive drugs. That's the difficult bit.
Do we ban something that some people can get pleasure from, just because it wrecks the lives of others? Well, the answer is yes, that's what they do. You might not agree with it, but that's what they are doing. There is no sub-plot.

And they ban weed because it DOES lead many people on to hard addictive drugs. And it harms the brains of people, who start on it young.
Again no mystery. The stated reason is the real reason. Just now and again, that happens.

What a load of nonsense.

[Tero]

Mm, how do these politicians cure people by putting them in jail?

[Svartalf]

They don't, unless you mean cure as in tobacco or meat curing...

[cronus]

Most of the posters on this thread turned out to be either squares or died from a drugs overdose? I am no exception...