I'm convinced that the vast majority of crime in the US would go away if drugs were legalized (statistics, Brown)
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Criminals will still be criminals, they'll move onto something else. As far as they go some of the crime such as murders related to turf may be eliminated since control of an area doesn't produce profits. The biggest impact on crime will be to help eliminate crimes like the addict knocking the little old lady over for her purse. Many of those people are not criminal by nature but a product of addiction. By lowering the costs of the drugs they have less reason to commit crimes.
When pot was legalized in Colorado prices didn't come down. From what I understand heroin is fairly inexpensive. The addict is still committing crimes.
When pot was legalized in Colorado prices didn't come down.
That's my understanding too however I would assume you can now legally grow you own. I'd give it a few years and see where the prices go, it has to come down some as more companies become involved. Certainly if the government is going to tax it at some ridiculous amount and there is no lowering of the costs then the crime would continue for the harder drugs like heroin.
I'm convinced that the vast majority of crime in the US would go away if drugs were legalized
Holland and Portugal have experimented with legalization/decriminalization, but crime did not go up, it skyrocketed.
The Holland (Dutch) Experiment
Holland has decriminalized drugs and tried harm reduction. Since the softening of drug policy there, shootings have increased 40%, robberies 62%, and car thefts 62%. This experiment which was meant to decrease organized crime has resulted in an increase in organized crime families from 3 in 1988 to 93 today.
The number of registered marijuana addicts has risen 30% and the number of other addicts has risen 22%
The Portuguese Experiment
In Portugal, since decriminalization has been implemented, the number of homicides related to drugs has increased 40%. "It was the only European country with a significant increase in (drug-related) murders between 2001 and 2006" (WDR, 2009).
Heroin consumption rose 57.5% in recent years
At variance with what official agencies have recently disclosed, the problem of drug dependence in Portugal has never been more serious: Between 2001, the year the decriminalization law went into effect, and 2007, continued consumption of narcotics rose, in absolute terms, by 66%.
In this period In this period consumption increased 215% for cocaine, 85% for ecstasy, 57.5% for heroine and 37% for cannabis.. These data are from a report of the Institute of Drugs and Drug Dependence (IDT), published in 2008.
Since decriminalization there has been a 50% increase in drug use among young people between the ages of 20 and 24. On the other hand, the number of persons who have experimented with illicit drugs at least once rose from 7.8% in 2001 to 12% in 2007 (IDT Report of Activities of Nov 2008).
Holland and Portugal have experimented with legalization/decriminalization, but crime did not go up, it skyrocketed.
The Holland (Dutch) Experiment
Holland has decriminalized drugs and tried harm reduction. Since the softening of drug policy there, shootings have increased 40%, robberies 62%, and car thefts 62%. This experiment which was meant to decrease organized crime has resulted in an increase in organized crime families from 3 in 1988 to 93 today.
The number of registered marijuana addicts has risen 30% and the number of other addicts has risen 22%
The Portuguese Experiment
In Portugal, since decriminalization has been implemented, the number of homicides related to drugs has increased 40%. "It was the only European country with a significant increase in (drug-related) murders between 2001 and 2006" (WDR, 2009).
Heroin consumption rose 57.5% in recent years
At variance with what official agencies have recently disclosed, the problem of drug dependence in Portugal has never been more serious: Between 2001, the year the decriminalization law went into effect, and 2007, continued consumption of narcotics rose, in absolute terms, by 66%.
In this period In this period consumption increased 215% for cocaine, 85% for ecstasy, 57.5% for heroine and 37% for cannabis.. These data are from a report of the Institute of Drugs and Drug Dependence (IDT), published in 2008.
Since decriminalization there has been a 50% increase in drug use among young people between the ages of 20 and 24. On the other hand, the number of persons who have experimented with illicit drugs at least once rose from 7.8% in 2001 to 12% in 2007 (IDT Report of Activities of Nov 2008).
That is because decriminalization is NOT legalization. Decriminalization is a band aid, and while folks may not get locked up for possession, decriminalization still allows the black market to flourish.
That's my understanding too however I would assume you can now legally grow you own.
I'm not sure but I don't believe you can.
Quote:
I'd give it a few years and see where the prices go, it has to come down some as more companies become involved. Certainly if the government is going to tax it at some ridiculous amount and there is no lowering of the costs then the crime would continue for the harder drugs like heroin.
You can't just get involved. You have to get licensed and approved by the state and they will limit that. From what I've read the crime of selling out of state cigarettes is only increasing in place like NY.
That is because decriminalization is NOT legalization. Decriminalization is a band aid, and while folks may not get locked up for possession, decriminalization still allows the black market to flourish.
Very high taxes allow the black market to flourish.
I'm convinced that the vast majority of crime in the US would go away if drugs were legalized
Majority?
Doubtful.
The crime rate would probably decrease, but the criminal element would simply move to another activity. The gutter trash wouldn't suddenly "see the light" and mend their ways.
Why would anyone "need" to do drugs. And don't bring up medical reasons, the vast majority of smokers out there do not have any kind of sickness that warrants them getting stoned.
My solution to drug crimes : death penalty for all drug dealers. No exception. Like they do in Asia.
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Do you know how much 8 ounces is? It's probably 8 grams.
I'd give it a few years and see where the prices go, it has to come down some as more companies become involved. Certainly if the government is going to tax it at some ridiculous amount and there is no lowering of the costs then the crime would continue for the harder drugs like heroin.
I'm convinced that the vast majority of crime in the US would go away if drugs were legalized
