Drugs and Legalization

	Since early on man has been interested in the consumption of substances 
that altered the mind or ones feeling. The consumption of substances can be  
broken down into legal and illegal substances. The question is, who are we to  
label certain substances illegal and prohibit others from using them by 
creating penalties for their use? 

	If the importation, sale and use of drugs were legal, the open competition 
would eliminate the profitability of drug dealing. Without the economic 
incentive to commit violent crimes, the violence of drug dealing would be 
dramatically reduced. In addition to the elimination of the economic incentive, 
the health risk factor would help to reduce the role of the drug dealer. A 
potential customer would probably choose to buy a market-tested product
from a pharmacy as opposed to buying a product of unknown dosage and quality 
from a corner dealer. 

	Without the advantage of large profits, the drug dealing profession would 
lose its luster. A major problem is that teenagers see selling drugs as the only 
way to make money. Minimum wage salaries can not compare to the huge 
profits associated with dealing. In a drug community, the drug dealers are seen 
as the center of the community. They become role models for the children, 
replacing their parents. Eliminating the drug dealer will force these young 
children into the reality that education is the way to make money, not selling 
drugs. 

	N.O.R.M.L (National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws)
is a fully recognized organization that lobbies for the removal of criminal 
penalties for the individual who uses marijuana in private. Since it is the 
Americans right to privacy, personal choice, and individual freedom.

	Marijuana, in addition to not being a dangerous drug, has been 
documented to have practical medical purposes and environmental purposes. 
The legalization of marijuana, a drug that the criminalization of is so impossible 
to enforce, would not only not harm society, but could actually benefit it. The 
question then becomes, how should legalization be approached? In addition to 
legalization, the government must also educate people of the affects.

	Legalizing drugs would allow them to be available to those who would 
benefit from their medical use and those who would like to use them as 
recreational drugs much like alcohol and tobacco are. Research would also be 
encouraged as scientists could search for new and practical uses of drugs. There 
are many wonderful uses of drugs that have not yet been identified or perfected  
because of the strict laws against them. With expanded research, we could 
discover these new possibilities.

	Of course, some restrictions would have to be set. Likely, an age restriction would have to be adopted. Restricting the use of drugs to adults only, and educating the youth of the potential dangers should help curb adolescent abuse, much like that of alcohol and tobacco. Prohibiting acts such as driving a vehicle under the influence of a mind-altering substance would likewise be necessary. Another necessity would be the destruction of all those with prior criminal records due to the arrest or conviction on drug-related charges. Of course, the right of the non-smoker would have to be respected in a public facility, just like non-smoking areas now days. The legalization could also help the economy in the revenue collected from taxes.