Originally posted by budski
Why is everyone so sure that marijuana is a victimless crime?
Well, I'll use your logic to tell you why.
Originally posted by budski
it's against the law, the law costs money to enforce - thats taxpayers money.
Yup. A ton of money, if you count enforcement, trial, imprisonment... Plus, it diverts the efforts and funds of law enforcement and the judicial system away from things that need it so desperately. Crimes where there are victims.
Originally posted by budski
criminal gangs import marijuana, amongst other drugs, this in turn provides money for other criminal activities, which in turn costs taxpayers money.
Just like in the days of alcohol prohibition. By making marijuana illegal, you give MASSIVE power to gangs. In turn, fighting these gangs is not only very difficult, but it costs a ton of time and money that could be used for other things (or returned to taxpayers by lowering taxes). Additionally, you can't tax it, since it's purely black market. Prices of marijuana are artificially driven up, economically encouraging people to enter the drug trade.
Prohibition is a highly dangerous thing.
Originally posted by budski
How many people are caught up in gang violence as a direct result of gang warfare over drugs territory?
Like I said, far too many. Thanks to the state trying to play nanny, gangs are given power and money.
Originally posted by budski
As for prostitution being a victimless crime - I won't even dignify that with an answer - the links between prostitution/crime/drugs/violence/HIV/STD's etc etc are all well established and documented. To think otherwise shows a profound lack of knowledge of crime and social issues.
Of course. Now, let's analyze that.
First, there is a link between prostitution and crime (and drugs and violence, consequently). The reason? Because, like marijuana, it is illegal, and therefore a black market trade. Black market trades are both impossible to regulate, impossible to tax, and have strong ties to crime, especially mobs and gangs.
Next, you have the link between prostitution and STDs. As prostitution is a purely voluntary contract, that's a risk that you know of before you pay for a prostitute. By entering a contract with a prostitute, you are the only one at risk of getting an STD from that individual. Other people may have sex with you, which is also an entirely voluntary contract. Both parties run the risk of getting a disease if you don't know the other person's background and/or don't use a condom. Additionally, since it's a black market trade, it's impossible to regulate. If it were legal, you could have standards or certifications ensuring cleanliness (ex. mandatory STD testing).
Originally posted by budski
This thread isn't about changing the law to suit people who promote marijuana use, it's about the population levels of US prisons and the reasons for this.
Marijuana possession/importing/dealing is currently against the law - no matter what people think of the law, that is how it stands.
The law is not the subject of the thread.
You accuse other people of not having knowledge of social issues, and then say something as silly as this? The law has a DIRECT impact on the population levels of U.S. prisons. I shouldn't even respond further to this, since it would achieve nothing but to embarrass you - and my goal isn't to attack you, but to show you the holes in your logic.
[edit on 22-8-2007 by Johnmike]
