It's not just about use. It's about law enforcement budgets, building prisons, and the thrill of hauling dark-skinned people to jail.
thehim | Homepage | 05.30.07 - 12:58 pm | #

Well for the sake of the argument I'm not concerned with those legitimate accusations. I'm more concerned with what the opposing side actually says, not their motives. The ONDCP isn't putting out ads arguing that we need to continue the War on Drugs because police like locking up colored people. Or drug warriors aren't writing op-eds saying that the police industry has become a special interest group that will be near impossible to detach from the taxpayers collective tit so it's better to just keep funneling them money.

Maybe I shouldn’t actually engage their legitimate argument -- that greater access to drugs, and more people using outweighs any negatives from prohibition -- but I think when you do that it's much easier to find holes in their arguments and convince other people. And that's the point of talking about it right? We do want to convince people that change is needed and that what we are saying is right and prohibition is both morally and empirically wrong...
Rob | Homepage | 05.30.07 - 1:55 pm | #

In fact, Rob, that first sentence of your last paragraph is the ONLY argument consistent with reason that can support prohibition. Right?

So I think if the authors of the op-eds could break it down like that, there might be more rational discussion. Sort of a cost vs. benefit analysis. If the arguments were broken down in such a way, I think the correct solution would be very clear.
NateKuhl | 05.30.07 - 3:06 pm | #

First sentence of the last paragraph *of your comment*, that is, not of the post.
NateKuhl | 05.30.07 - 3:07 pm | #

Correct. Essentially make Milton Friedman's argument. I've found repreating what he has written and said is usually a good idea
Rob | Homepage | 05.30.07 - 4:34 pm | #

Marijuana Growers = Energy Thieves

It should be "Marijuana Banners = Energy Wasters" just from the science alone. How much extra energy would we have if hemp were allowed to be grown? But hemp is illegal because mj is illegal.
Russ | 05.31.07 - 9:42 am | #

Rob,
I agree with that. I was being snarky there. But I do believe that the drug war continues because there's still a very strong belief that minorities are much more likely to be drug users.
thehim | Homepage | 05.31.07 - 3:48 pm | #

agreed
Rob | Homepage | 05.31.07 - 5:22 pm | #