Political prisoner, activist, journalist, hymn-writer, emerging thinktanker, aspiring novelist, "tribal elder", 2019 parliamentary candidate for North West Durham, Shadow Leader of the Opposition, "Speedboat", "The Cockroach", eagerly awaiting the second (or possibly third) attempt to murder me.
Tuesday, 3 November 2009
Stubbing It Out
Suppose, for the sake of argument, that Lord Winston was right in the House of Lords yesterday. Suppose, for the sake of argument, that cannabis or ecstasy is less harmful than tobacco. Nicotine, we are told, is pound for pound the most addictive substance known to the human body. I have no doubt that it is. Yet look at the success of proper laws and of their proper enforcement against the smoking of nicotine-laden tobacco products. If that can work, then so can proper laws and their proper enforcement against cannabis and ecstasy.
Yet look at the success of proper laws and of their proper enforcement against the smoking of nicotine-laden tobacco products
ReplyDeleteThe smoking of 'nicotine-laden tobacco products' is still completely legal. There are some restrictions on smoking in enclosed public spaces but anyone who wishes to smoke may still do so. These should be seen as entirely analogous to prohibitions on consuming alcohol when in charge of vehicles. I am sure that no fair minded observer would object to similar restrictions being placed on other narcotics once their possession is rightfully legalised.
Impossible to do. The culture of these things is entrenched. Legalisation with restrictions couldn't be done. Nor should it be.
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