In the light of the UK Government's recent classification of cathinones as class B controlled substances, I'd be interested in RHP users' views on drug controls - what useful purpose is served by such bans? Would it not be more sensible to provide accurate information and tax these substances? This would have the advantage of throttling one of the major criminal revenue streams worldwide, wouldn't it?
Originally posted by avalanchethecatNo. I think people who do casual drugs are limited in their own self respect and social ability.
In the light of the UK Government's recent classification of cathinones as class B controlled substances, I'd be interested in RHP users' views on drug controls - what useful purpose is served by such bans? Would it not be more sensible to provide accurate information and tax these substances? This would have the advantage of throttling one of the major criminal revenue streams worldwide, wouldn't it?
Originally posted by divegeesterI'm guessing you don't drink caffeinated drinks, smoke cigarettes or drink alcohol, because if you did any of the above you'd either be limited in your own self respect and social ability or a hypocrite.
No. I think people who do casual drugs are limited in their own self respect and social ability.
D
Originally posted by RagnorakI drink a lot of coffee, a fair amount of alcohol and limit my smoking to accidental inhalation of other peoples carcinogens. Causal drugs such as cannabis are harmful to the personality and the body. I don't classify coffee in the same category as that would be ridiculous, however I do accept the dangers of alcohol; but not in the same way the same way as cannabis.
I'm guessing you don't drink caffeinated drinks, smoke cigarettes or drink alcohol, because if you did any of the above you'd either be limited in your own self respect and social ability or a hypocrite.
D
* Hi my name is divegeester and I am a hypocrite 😞
As I understand it, alcohol is about the most destructive and addictive of all the commonly available drugs (not so sure about crystal meth - so far this hasn't really taken off in Britain). Far worse than, for example, cannabis, according to experts in the field. And as for tobacco, I really can't understand why this is acceptable at all - no positive effects whatsoever and it's contribution towards tens of thousands of premature deaths each year is inarguable.
Let's consider another argument. Supposing 'casual' drug users are limited in their self-respect and social mobility. Suppose they are contributing towards their own ill-health and premature death. Is criminalisation necessarily the best, or even in any way a positive or useful way of dealing with the issue?
Originally posted by avalanchethecatI think the question you have to ask is 'what sort of substance would be acceptable to government/media?' The answer as far as i'm concerned is none. The ability to criminalise risk takers while they're young is obviously deemed desirable to the establishment. You can't become an MP if you've got dope convictions after all...
In the light of the UK Government's recent classification of cathinones as class B controlled substances, I'd be interested in RHP users' views on drug controls - what useful purpose is served by such bans? Would it not be more sensible to provide accurate information and tax these substances? This would have the advantage of throttling one of the major criminal revenue streams worldwide, wouldn't it?
The post that was quoted here has been removedI agree, legal drugs sold in corner shops would be bedlam! I look at the recent legality of Meow meow and i see a situation where millions of people (seriously, millions!) have been using this substance for a couple of years now and there isn't a single fatality that has been specifically linked with the substance itself. Same goes with MDMA, while it's obviously not the most healthy thing to do, you can write the fatalities on the back of a cigarette packet. Compare that with alcohol, there are probably more alcohol related injuries/fatalities on any average weekend as there have been for either of these substances EVER!
I think Addictive drugs like Heroin/Cocaine/Crack/Meth amphetamines should remain banned, but a certain degree of tolerance should be shown when a drug isn't causing social upheaval. The recent episode with people buying totally pure mephedrone online is a much more desirable situation than people buying dodgy pills on the black market from unscrupulous drug dealers/Gangsters. People ARE going to continue using substances to get high, period! Why feed organised crime millions of pounds and subject the general public to the lottery of black market drug deals? Mephedrone is the safest substance i've seen people using in years and that is simply down to the fact that no one is messing around with it, mixing it with god knows what. I actually tried one of the newer 'legal highs' the other day and it was really awful, i felt like i was going to have a heart attack. By banning mephedrone, the government have opened the door to exactly the sort of dangerous drugs they were trying to keep off the streets.