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The Water Cooler
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<blockquote data-quote="Ethan N" data-source="post: 3232315" data-attributes="member: 29267"><p>I’m a right-libertarian minarchist. I believe prohibiting the possession and use of illicit drugs falls way outside the legitimate purposes of the state.</p><p></p><p>People have the rights of liberty and property (AKA the pursuit of happiness) and that includes personal possession and use of any substance, even if it ruins their life or kills them. Use of a substance in itself does not violate the rights of any other person (assuming the user is not pregnant), so the state has no legitimate interest in that choice.</p><p></p><p>In terms of the practicality of legalizing drugs, I’m willing to accept increases in crime connected to repealing laws that punish behavior that doesn’t violate the rights of another. If we repealed all such laws, I believe people would have more opportunity for wealth, health, safety, happiness, etc., even if there was a general increase in crime. However, I reject the idea that legalizing drugs would result in a permanent increase in crime. It’s just as likely that criminal sanctions drive drug trade and use underground, causing much of the associated crime, as was the case during alcohol prohibition and marijuana prohibition.</p><p></p><p>People should be discouraged from using illicit drugs because the prevailing outcomes are negative. Drug use should be socially unacceptable. The community (not government) of anyone addicted to drugs should be ready, willing, and equipped to help them overcome their addiction. When people harm others while under the influence of drugs, they should be punished. But I believe government coercion to not use drugs is wrong, doesn’t work, and does more harm than good.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Ethan N, post: 3232315, member: 29267"] I’m a right-libertarian minarchist. I believe prohibiting the possession and use of illicit drugs falls way outside the legitimate purposes of the state. People have the rights of liberty and property (AKA the pursuit of happiness) and that includes personal possession and use of any substance, even if it ruins their life or kills them. Use of a substance in itself does not violate the rights of any other person (assuming the user is not pregnant), so the state has no legitimate interest in that choice. In terms of the practicality of legalizing drugs, I’m willing to accept increases in crime connected to repealing laws that punish behavior that doesn’t violate the rights of another. If we repealed all such laws, I believe people would have more opportunity for wealth, health, safety, happiness, etc., even if there was a general increase in crime. However, I reject the idea that legalizing drugs would result in a permanent increase in crime. It’s just as likely that criminal sanctions drive drug trade and use underground, causing much of the associated crime, as was the case during alcohol prohibition and marijuana prohibition. People should be discouraged from using illicit drugs because the prevailing outcomes are negative. Drug use should be socially unacceptable. The community (not government) of anyone addicted to drugs should be ready, willing, and equipped to help them overcome their addiction. When people harm others while under the influence of drugs, they should be punished. But I believe government coercion to not use drugs is wrong, doesn’t work, and does more harm than good. [/QUOTE]
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