Some reasons for decriminalization of use and possession, summarized:
(i.e., removing criminal penalties or making it no jail time possible, but not government supplied)
- War on drugs has failed. Criminalization has consequences on community - in many cases, most of the negative effects come from the criminalization, not the drug.
- Consensual crimes that don’t harm others shouldn’t be crimes.
- Drug prohibition doesn’t seem to decrease use — Portugal. (Also perhaps Czech, Italy, Spain?)
- Drug war enforcement costs a ton, we could save tax money.
- 1.2 million people arrested for drug possession in 2015. http://www.drugwarfacts.org/chapter/crime_arrests#arrests
- Prisons are crowded. Would reduce this a little.
- Easier for addicts to seek treatment.
I think the strongest reasons are that drug use should be treated as a health issue and not a criminal issue, and that consensual crimes that don't harm others shouldn't be crimes.
What is the single strongest reason for or against decriminalizing all drugs, in your opinion?
(i.e., removing criminal penalties or making it no jail time possible, but not government supplied)
- War on drugs has failed. Criminalization has consequences on community - in many cases, most of the negative effects come from the criminalization, not the drug.
- Consensual crimes that don’t harm others shouldn’t be crimes.
- Drug prohibition doesn’t seem to decrease use — Portugal. (Also perhaps Czech, Italy, Spain?)
- Drug war enforcement costs a ton, we could save tax money.
- 1.2 million people arrested for drug possession in 2015. http://www.drugwarfacts.org/chapter/crime_arrests#arrests
- Prisons are crowded. Would reduce this a little.
- Easier for addicts to seek treatment.
I think the strongest reasons are that drug use should be treated as a health issue and not a criminal issue, and that consensual crimes that don't harm others shouldn't be crimes.
What is the single strongest reason for or against decriminalizing all drugs, in your opinion?