Two topics not thought of as linked but I think they are. What are your thoughts on each and maybe we can get an interesting debate on government power.

So is my body and the government should keep its nose out of my business. Now can we agree with this statement?

The war on drugs. Is it a good thing and what's it accomplished?

Dealers should be executed. The amount of harm drugs do in society is enormous, drugs and addicts should be purged from society.

...I am not a libertarian if you can't tell.

The government has no right to tell me what I can or can not put in my body! This coming from a man that has arrested many many drug dealers, meth makers etc. Doing or injesting anything you want in your home is ok with me as long as it stays in your home and here is the problem. When you are on meth your neighbors will pay the price with shenanigans'. My neighbor tried to put up a gate on my property so that I couldn't access my home that didn't go over well for him. And I hate a drug dealer simply because they will sell to anyone who has the money or trade goods, if you get me. The problem is these dealers deal and actively solicit children and that makes me made as fire. Donnersurvivor I do not believe any child said they wanted to grow up and be an alcoholic or addict but children grow up to be those things and worse. There's a problem somewhere and I think it is parenting. We have had a war on drugs for decades and the problem is only getting worse. I don't have all the answers but starting out with a christian lifestyle and parenting is a good good start. Also I'm no tea tottler I like a cold beer on a hot summer day more than the next guy.

Drug abuse is expensive for society and only benefits off shore suppliers.

Mixed feelings on this one.

I despise drug use and addiction. But you can't fix stupid.

What I choose to consume is my business but when does what I consume become your business?

As a social darwinist it is a good thing when the stupid choose to delete themselves from the gene pool.

Taxing consumptive use items means govt must promote consumption.

Products that kill their consumers must recruit new consumers.

There is an illegal and often violent black market for every prohibited item.

Yet, government monopolies are the answer?

Guys, I really don't know where I come down on this other than to say keep that shiite away from me and mine. And if you make it my business I'll shut it down quick.

I just want to have a pot plant or two growing next to my pepper plants

There should be nicotine tests given ahead of welfare as well. Everyone has watched someone stand in line and pay cash for a carton of smokes and use their ebt to pay for food. Complete BS.

I must say that I agree even as a pack a day smoker. JMO, but in order to receive assistance a full budget should be submitted and wasteful spending eliminated. Maybe we should require this before sending in our taxes.

As long as the Rich and famous want Drugs (including Government officials) drugs will still get in. Or remain a problem.

It doesn't stop there, they all usually have smart phones, Playstation 4, iPads, etc...

Your body, your choice... but we have to deal with your conduct under the influence. We pay for your healthcare for addiction, injuries or in general for you and your family when you can't hold a job? Also housing and food? We also deal with the increase crime associated with drugs? Go to san francisco, nyc, la or seattle... you can openly do drugs and even drop a deuce right on the sidewalks. Enjoy!

If you have zero responsibility to ANYONE while you are making your choice and for the duration your choice affects only you then by all means do what you want to yourself.

Even better is end entitlement programs.

I have met very few cops who think what we are currently doing has any positive benefit

Drug cartels sure don't want drugs to be legal.
Interesting that the lefties don't have any problem killing unborn fetuses, but take a stand against capitol punishment, while those on the right consider themselves pro-life, but don't have any problem with killing people on death row.

This is why I'm still of the opinion of shoot all dopers. If one's choice has zero impact on the rest of us then who am I to say. I just don't see that happening with drugs.
Even pot has negative impacts because many just can't keep it to themselves or not abuse it.

Lotsa folks keep making a tax-free living as long as drugs remain illegal.
Drug cartels are run by the very smartest people, same as any legal business. The smartest operators end up at the top. Netflix has a series called El Narcos that is a very good watch. It's about marijuana and cocaine business in Mexico. There's always guys that have it all yet their greed wanting more gets them in trouble eventually. And there is always young, hungry, energetic guys making a play to get in on the big game too. Just like the local guy at the bar that is a good fist-fighter. He may win for a long time but eventually he will meet his match and go down.

Probly the same as if you were drunk. Alcohol is legal yet in my opinion the worst of all drugs out there. Speaking from my own experience.

I do not care what you put in your body, but do not come to me for help when you and not stop wetting yourself and stop drooling. If you drop in the street from Over Dosing, leave them there. Oh no we have to help they and give the VERY expensive drug to bring them back so they can do it again. JMO

bowhunter27295, who do you know that would be smoking crack if only it were legal?

start living in the real world for awhile