Wednesday, February 25, 2004
LEGALIZE IT In the Spectator Bruce Anderson reminds us that we ought to be making war on terror, not on drugs:
We have to fight the terrorists, because they insist on fighting us. But as regards the drug dealers, there is no such necessity. We are not compelled to make war on them; it would be much easier to destroy them by legalising the drug trade on which their revenues depend.
The British government could not accomplish this on its own. If, in breach of several international conventions, we made it legal for adults to purchase drugs under strictly regulated conditions, this would have only a marginal effect on the illegal drug trade turnover. We would also be roundly condemned on all sides. But the logic of our position would be irresistible. Within 10 years of Britain's deciding to legalise drugs, condemnation would give way to imitation.
High time for a courageous politician to champion this. Unfortunately I don't see anyone in British politics espousing such a view getting anywhere near the point of decision making. At the end of the day we are just going to have to wait for the day I become Prime Minister. ;)
We have to fight the terrorists, because they insist on fighting us. But as regards the drug dealers, there is no such necessity. We are not compelled to make war on them; it would be much easier to destroy them by legalising the drug trade on which their revenues depend.
The British government could not accomplish this on its own. If, in breach of several international conventions, we made it legal for adults to purchase drugs under strictly regulated conditions, this would have only a marginal effect on the illegal drug trade turnover. We would also be roundly condemned on all sides. But the logic of our position would be irresistible. Within 10 years of Britain's deciding to legalise drugs, condemnation would give way to imitation.
High time for a courageous politician to champion this. Unfortunately I don't see anyone in British politics espousing such a view getting anywhere near the point of decision making. At the end of the day we are just going to have to wait for the day I become Prime Minister. ;)
