Op Ed in Wall St Journal: decriminalise cannabis. Where's the liberal Irish Media?

[JCSkinner]

No, it won't.

No analysis why? The hypocrisy cannot continue indefinitely. Medical assessment of harm is coming to the centre of the drugs debate internationally. The Portuguese and Dutch models are being emulated by other countries in a piece-meal fashion within the EU already.
I think the ten year time frame I laid out might even be a little lengthy compared to the reality of how this pans out.

And just to set the record straight, I do not use any drugs.

No alcohol? No paracetemol? Never had a sleeping pill, or a painkilling injection? Never smoked anything?
Everyone 'uses drugs', Bobert. Some drugs are legal, some are prescription only and some are prohibited. But everyone uses them sometimes.

[Bobert]

[quote=JCSkinner;1451452]No analysis why? The hypocrisy cannot continue indefinitely. Medical assessment of harm is coming to the centre of the drugs debate internationally. The Portuguese and Dutch models are being emulated by other countries in a piece-meal fashion within the EU already.
I think the ten year time frame I laid out might even be a little lengthy compared to the reality of how this pans out.[/quote

Contries like?

No alcohol?

Not since I was 14.

No paracetemol?

Not since I was 15.

Never had a sleeping pill,

Never.

or a painkilling injection?

Nope.

Never smoked anything?

Not since New Years when I had a cigar.

Everyone 'uses drugs', Bobert. Some drugs are legal, some are prescription only and some are prohibited. But everyone uses them sometimes.

Caffeine is really the only drug I use.

[JCSkinner]

Countries like?

Spain, where cannabis is effectively decriminalised, and people are permitted to grow their own. Belgium, France, Denmark, Italy and much of Germany, where possession of even relatively significant amounts of cannabis is permitted for personal use.
Here's a rundown Europe-wide: European Drug Policy: Analysis and Case Studies - NORML

Not since I was 14.
Not since I was 15.
Never.
Nope.
Not since New Years when I had a cigar.
Caffeine is really the only drug I use.

Aren't you the clean living lad?
Still, even a good sober individual such as yourself partakes of caffeine (one of the most poisonous substances there is - a very small amount of pure caffeine can kill) and occasionally tobacco (described by The Lancet as more harmful to the individual and society than cannabis, ecstasy or LSD).
So I'm sure you accept my argument that everyone 'does drugs' to a greater or lesser degree.
The issue is to what extent should the law intervene in that usage in order to ensure the safety of the individual and the security of society.
We accept already that some usage requires medical supervision, and other usage requires a minimum age requirement.

[shutuplaura]

My god! How do you relax bob?


Really though you have a point in the sense that most advocates of drug legalization a person meets in everyday life are drug users. Now as a drug user myself I'd have no problem taking their views on board (actually, I think they probably know more than many who've never touched the stuff) but to many people this is an issue.

I suppose people who see drug use in terms of addiction and all that see about as much sense in taking a dope smokers views on board as they do taking to an alcoholic about drink licensing laws.

This is a shame. To kickstart a reasonable debate a reputable media organ (or even better, mainstream politician) should come out and say that our drugs policy isn't working and needs a comprehensive obverhaul. Perhaps it will happen in time. I don't think it will take 50 years but maybe another ten or 15. Thats going to be a lot of money wasted all the same though.

[tfy&qa]

lord bobert your getting battered! Do you not know when to QUIT? see we all have our vices and this appears to be yours. Just goes to show you how ill-informed these puritans are.....

[jpc]

Are you speaking in terms of Ireland or more generally?
I don't think anyone could query the credentials of The Lancet article's authors, and Danny Kushlick is an admirable advocate and estimable debater on the issue.
And even in Ireland, Flanagan tends to wipe the floor with any prohibitionist foolish enough to debate with him.

Luke has his facts established and quotes research papers.
Most of the anti's that encounter him aren't able to respond to a coherent well argued counterarguement.
That Kenny woman typifies this trait.
That plus the error of putting cannabis in the same catagory as heroin, crack etc.
Then you have the gateway drug arguement.

[JCSkinner]

lord bobert your getting battered! Do you not know when to QUIT? see we all have our vices and this appears to be yours. Just goes to show you how ill-informed these puritans are.....

In fairness to Bob, he's stated he agrees with revisiting the prohibition policy. He just is more pessimistic about the timeframe for change than I am.
I don't think he was being ill-informed at all.

[tfy&qa]

Well i don't need to argue with you sir, you know your stuff. But I will say a little.....

What is informed? Would the digestive processes of acquired information be acceptable? Bob is unaware of the nature of what he puts into his own body, as if they should be separated because his stereotypical views are supported by the established media. He is unaware of the current state of the progressive review on this issue in other countries having challenged you on it. He has pigeon holed consumers off this substance as part of his reality construct. I could wander elsewhere amongst his reflections on this issue, but you have adequately done this already. Perhaps misinformed is the wrong word, rather than uninformed, in which case why be so persistent? This is all a part of it......



Edit -let me say one more thing that needs to be mentioned every such time this discussion is fortunately broached, the somewhat pessimistic attitude of nay sayers is a consistent factor in the pain that is experienced not by people who want to use this substance, but by people who need to use this substance. Would they be condemned to a life of pain just because of block built lies. For some people this is the only thing that allows them to live a somewhat normal life. No this issue needs to be challenged every time, and you know it.

[JCSkinner]

I think you have misunderstood Bob's position. He agreed with my analysis of the need to end prohibition. He merely expressed his belief that it would take a lot longer here than I think it will.
As any such assessment is de facto speculative, we're all entitled to a view and they all likely have equal credibility in the context of no current movement on these issues from our legislators.

[Fish]

For my tuppence worth I would have no problem with the decriminalisation of cannabis but absolutely Not for coke and heroin.