In what way including, but not limited to, corruption within the Federal level that could lead to legal reforms in retaliation, in terms of national and international executive action towards legalized vendors and users through media, corporate and judicial means (or from cartel influence upon these sources); how drug gangs could seek to protect their projected losses on a local plane; The projected time scale in which the public is expected to accept, interpret and incorporate the passing of said laws. In other words, how long and what situations do you believe will arise in the wake of legalization of certain "soft" drugs (i.e, Marijuana, LSD [these drugs are chosen for therapeutic value, that we have given them a recreational acceptance is not the point of this exercise, in light that the main reason for their legalization is their effectiveness in the field of medicine]). In what way have the efforts of legalization in particular states and certain countries in the international community demonstrated possible tendencies that could also arise if the measures are passed in the U.S or, for what reasons do these tendencies have a chance of not happening? (For example, the fact that the drug usage rate and crime are drastically lowered in Amsterdam when compared to the United States). Additional Details Two things: 1. It's not an economics question, it's a sociological question; how would the US sustain the effects of legalization, what do you think will happen or how will the people who profit from that illegal drug industry adapt to the changes and in which ways will these adaptations affect the forthcoming society and trade that WILL be born from. (In other words, will drug lords begin chain stores that sell pot, for example, or will they bribe politicians to make the product so costly it's restrictive [such as the current marijuana tax level in California]). What these decisions would mean to the general public. It's more a thought experiment than me asking what will actually happen. 2. It's not a a question from a class (though I wouldn't be surprised if someone did write it up), it's just my curiosity to see what most people think on the matter. Most of the premise on which the question is built on is somewhat haphazard in terms of what I'm 8 minutes ago I'm basing myself on, but in the face of legalization, it is something that should be posed nonetheless, because legalization won't just mean that we can smoke on the streets, there WILL be a large scale of repercussions as to what this means. As to comparing it to other societies, well, they just have a head start on what these measures seem designed to accomplish.
Ten Years After Decriminalization, Drug Abuse Down by Half in Portugal - Forbes Decriminalizing Drugs in Portugal a Success, Says Report - TIME Crime rates will drop, drug abuse will drop, costs will drop.
Drug cartels will lose most of their income source. Most will entirely be eliminated, those that remain in existence will find their power will be significantly reduced, along with their numbers. When the billion dollar enterprise loses 99% of its funding overnight, they just won't be able to retain the same number of employees anymore...
International banks won't be happy because the cartels won't be funneling billions of dollars through them. or
I don't know, i mean, you can't just topple a billion dollar industry and expect those behind it to stand there with their arms folded, plus, with information such as the fast and furious project clearly showing that the cartel has a direct connection with the U.S Government makes me think it won't be a simple passing and enforcement procedure. Plus, just as you said above, the banks (and probably many other entities) profit from the drug trade, so that makes me wonder what that loss in revenue could mean, in other words, how would affect the current state of the economy, would the legitimate businesses that arise be capable of compensating for that cash flow or will it fall short?
Cartels would do what the mobs from prohibition did. Change. Several mobs rose to power during prohibition, after prohibition they just made money somewhere else. Several mobs run the casinos in Vegas. They run and own the casinos and make bank. They also treat their guests with the most respect. The leader of the mob would greet his guests going into his casino. Cartels would find something else to invest in. Some may turn into corporation and build up farms for growing marijuana, hemp, or what ever the fuck they want. Cartels will never go away, they will just evolve like the mobs did. Gangs in the US will do something along the same lines.
All wars for the past 200 years have been fought for someone who planned to make money out of the situation. This comes to no surprise.
Sorry for the double post. The thing with Portugal is that it was de-criminalized, not legalized, it's an attack on the war on narcotics, but it doesn't reshape the way they are viewed as recreational drugs. There still isn't easy legal access to them nor are there regulations as to how they would be sold, to what age is it vendible, what quantities, in what places is their use permitted. It also doesn't address how society has come to accept this change and how it's incorporated itself to the normal functions of civilization. What I mean with this last point is that, because some of these have medicinal value, could they compete with pharmaceuticals as a means of treatment in a way that medical and governmental centers actively use them on patients in efforts to heal or as an educational supplement (as some are wont to say that pot helps them study) etc. Certainly Portugal has taken a great leap as to how they are dealing with the situation that revolves around drugs, but it's only one of the many sides of the issue.
If it has any medicinal value, it would seem wise to research the potential it could have. I'm sure anyone could agree to that.
The problem is that Portugal decriminalized, not legalized. It's impossible to know how much of a problem it would be if drugs were fully legalized. The number of addicts would go up by how much? Overall how much would drug use increase? These are important questions that unfortunately can never be answered. Regardless, I don't think use would skyrocket, and the effect on organized crime and the safety of drugs would be largely beneficial.
same thing was said when prohibition ended. How much of a problem is it? actually alcoholism is a problem, but it wouldn't be if drinking age was lowered. Addicts would not increase. drug use could increase or decrease. Yes, they have been answered. At least read the title of the articles I posted. Crime rates would drop drastically. people incarcerated would drop dramatically. People who are caught with possession are fucked for life and they will not find a job. Take out these laws and these people could work and smoke just fine. and actually amount to something.
On British society? A huge societal gulf between the elder generations (Babyboomers/pre-60s born) and younger generations (post-60's). It's already a pretty huge gulf as it is but the introduction of legalized marijuana and psychedelics would just push it even further. Huge drop in the number of alcohol related deaths (#1 in Europe last time I checked).
I don't think it would be that big of a deal... other than some stoned kids running through the street with blunts in their hands. Just like with alcohol prohibition ending I think the general consensus would be "oh, weed is legal... bout goddamn time."
I would think that if the United States legalized it, Mexico would also and their imports would probably take over the majority of the American markets currently supplied by domestic growers. Maybe other countries that grow cannabis will get in on it as well- the more variety the better.
Their would be ripples through all Society. Recreational use would peak sharply, then mellow out. Business would begin investing into Bud and Hemp growth and it would turn into the next bOoming industry, multiple jobs created that people would actually enjoy Hemp would become the Next miracle industrial product, its use would dominate age old industries. Hemp can be turned into a plastic that is harder, stronger and lighter then steel, paper that can withstand water damage, fuel that can be more efficient then Gas, and of course all of it is environmentaly friendly. In a world where their are depleting resources, peak oil, forest loss, etc are now replaced with a replenishing resource. One that any family can grow for extra income at their home. Buds would be bought out more then all other legal drugs, cigarette and alcohol use would decline sharply especially if private companies got on board. Medical prescription drugs would lose theor market status as bud begins its domination. New real studies can bEgin to explore the secrets of the Herb and its medicinal use. Even discover whether its purported cancer curing properties can turn into a reality. Societys attitude would change, I mean how often have you thought that if that guy smoked weed his attitude on life would change? We get people smoking bud and who knows maybe theyll actually wale up and begin questioning their government?
Very good point, but I'm skeptical that alcohol would lose its dominance except perhaps in the long-term (several generations from now). I also think that you're right that cannabis' medical potential has barely been tapped at this point.
- Foreign drug cartels would fall apart and organized crime would take a SERIOUS hit in funding. Possibly leading to fairer foreign systems of government and less domestic crime. - Tens of thousands of jobs would be created (maybe more). - It would likely be regulated and taxed (unfortunately), giving money for humanitarian or relief efforts. - A lot of money would be saved on pointless imprisonment of nonviolent drug offenders and would free up courts and legal systems clogged with all of this pointless shit. - Serious drug abuse would decrease, this has already happened insome countries where decriminalization has been put in place (such as Portugal). - A whole bunch of effective medicines would go into research from hemp, not to mention plastics, fabrics and other industries that currently lobby for prohibition. - Hemp would likely replace wood as a source of paper in the long term, being cheaper, faster and more efficient. Less deforestation.