Forum Topic

Should Recreational Drugs Be Legalised?

Another debate currently about this on LBC. In my opinion if these drugs are carefully regulated and sold by licensed premises such as GP surgeries, health centres and designated pharmacies I think it would be a positive and sensible move.  Tight control of quality and price would hopefully prevent most of the dangerous and impure drugs like spice and skunk commonly being sold on the streets now.  People are not going to stop taking drugs anyway so why not legalise them, and just think how much tax it would raise!

Sue Hammond ● 1257d9 Comments

Smoking and alcohol are also recreational drugs and are the 2 largest drains on the NHS but no suggestion that they should be criminalised. So it seems logical to decriminalise the recreational drugs to which the OP refers?

Jane Carter ● 1256d

I smoked for a few years - what a total waste of money along with all the other negative effects. Now when I smell another smoker i'm horried to think that i used to smell like that!

Matt Palmer ● 1256d

Agree about smoking, yuck🤮the stink🤢always put me off from even trying it. Never enjoyed wine (any colour) because it makes me very sleepy, followed by an horrendous headache.

Sue Hammond ● 1257d

Sue, I'm with you regarding that, although I prefer a red wine ... or two ... Something to sip; never fancied the idea of sticking needles in myself and smoking doesn't appeal. However, alcohol is an addictive drug, many would say more harmful than cannabis (discounting skunk) which isn't physically addictive and LSD, if taken under medical supervision, seems not to be too harmful and, again, isn't physically addictive. I think the most dangerous thing about cannabis is that it introduces people to smoking, and tobacco is probably one of the most lethal drugs?

Michael Ixer ● 1257d

Fair point Andy and it may be that the illegality of using cocaine is part of its appeal.  I am only guessing because taking drugs has never appealed to me, I got happy enough on 3 Bacardi and Cokes lol.

Sue Hammond ● 1257d

I wonder how many 'recreational' users of , say, cocaine would be happy to pop along to their GP to pick up the weekends after dinner lines for them and their guests.Somehow I doubt the well to do would be prepared to divulge this secret to their GP.

Andy Pike ● 1257d

I agree, although one might have to differentiate between different drugs. In the 1960s heroin was available on prescription and I don't remember it being a big problem? I was too young to know/remember the full details by I believe many heroin addicts at that time worked in jobs, some in the professions.  The big issue is that there's a strong, efficient criminal drugs supply chain in place now so dismantling that and replacing it with a legitimate one isn't going to be easy now, particularly if there isn't international cooperation.The US as states that have legalised cannabis have a problem as it's still illegal at the Federal level so the businesses can't use US banking services - although I thing some may use Canadian banks? And I think taxes make the product expensive so there's still a large illegal markets in states where it's legal - economies of scal if the criminals still have to supply states where it's illegal and have existing infrastructure?It does seem that in some European countries where drugs have been decriminalised usage has dropped (I don't have stats to hand) there are potential problems so, while I agree with not criminalising drug users, it needs careful thought.

Michael Ixer ● 1257d

I thought GPs and Pharnacies were under severe pressure with their current workload never mind turning them into 'sweetie' shops for drug users.So we end with licensed shops , similar to  licensed tobacconists that still sell counterfeit tobacco . So just make it easier to get drugs. Also drug users ( legal or not) will still be out there causing havoc in their drug fuelled world. Not for me keep it as it is.

Andy Pike ● 1257d

Agree. Sensible solution

Jane Carter ● 1257d