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TGGP's avatar

Mark Kleiman supports a high tax on alcohol rather than prohibition. Would that be an acceptable compromise on drugs?

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Vox Noctuae's avatar

1) and 2) are why I am against recreational drug legalization, yet okay with loose enforcement (e.g. Germany).

1) the problem is, most or the most visible pro-legalization people also approve of actualy using them. Or if not the most visible, the most radical will certainly be made the most visible by the media. And it makes it impossible for me to be seen agreeing with them, even though I would tacitly accept a social agreement where recreational drug use is frowned upon but legal.

2) is basically that it is not the fact of recreational drug use itself a problem but how people behave under the influence. so this enables the police to ignore well behaved drug users and not ignore those that are a nuisance.

3) I don't really know about.

4) yes, I think it is both common and accurate to think an overworld of normal people and a criminal underworld of habitual criminals clearly separated. that's because being a burglar is a profession just as much as being a baker. it takes training and tools. people tend to work a lot in their professions. But I think people are aware that illegal immigration or recreational drug use or abortion also happens with normal folks, not just habitual criminals.

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