Mexico to decriminalise drug possession

[rockofcashel]

Not so sure, efficient open market production of drugs ought lead to a lower cost. So "genuine" companies with tax ought be able to come in pretty close to bandit prices (assuming that bandits production prices are quite a lot higher).

That is probably true if one only considered the cost price of the drugs. However, I would suggest that it is highly likely that were currently illicit drugs to become legalised then governments would probably impose a high tax on them, similar to the tax on alcohol or tobacco, and would impose standards of production both of which would drive the retail price up. Illegal operators would have neither of these competitive disadvantages although the cost of evading the law might narrow the price difference.

But what of the opportunity cost saving both for the government, from not needing to put as much resourses into the crimes created by drug dealing, and the savings to business, for example the insurance industry of such a move.

[former future leader]

But what about the social damage entailed with addiction, the family, theft, liver damage, kidney damage, psychosis, and least of all what would the gardai do then

[merle haggard]

aids , hepatitis , prostitution , child prostitution and exploitation . Many of these social problems that go with addiction could be tackled much more effectively if heroin was legalised and available through ones GP under medical supervsion . Medical grade heroin , although extremely addictive isnt in the slightest bit harmful , the dirt the dealers use to bulk out their product and the unhygeinic way it is stored , transported and consumed is what makes addicts look like the living dead. . Under medical supervision an addict would be perfectly able to manage their illness as well as hold down a job and rear a family . You wouldnt even know someone was an addict .
Ive yet to hear a sensible argument as to why this illness of epidemic proportions isnt being properly treated in a medical manner .

[rockofcashel]

But what about the social damage entailed with addiction, the family, theft, liver damage, kidney damage, psychosis, and least of all what would the gardai do then

Alcohol is already legal FFL, we're talking about other drugs