In the US the raw about legalizing the use of Cannabis is very much alive, here in UK though, the argument it's pretty much dead. For most people is a no-brainer, legalize it and you ll get rid of drug trafficking and people suffering with stress and painful conditions will be able to use this as a medical treatment.So far so good. You add to this the success of Netherlands drug's policy add you almost seem to have a perfect argument.
Well in my view the medical benefits of cannabis have been proven to some point. But if that should be the case, then the drug can be extracted and comfortably placed into a pill of some sort and could be prescribed just like any other drug.
Obviously I do not think this is the aim of those who push for this drug to be legalized. Most people want it to use as a recreational drug ( understandably ).
So what about the Netherlands?
If you use soft drugs in Netherlands you will not be prosecuted and there is a confident argument that the legalization of soft drugs will keep people from experimenting other drugs ( a carrot approach that wold creatre some sort of social barrier ). I think this sounds pretty much right. But could it work here is UK?
Let's compare it to another toxic substance used for recreational purposes.. mmmmm rrrrrrrr yyyyyyy OH yeah.. alcohol!
Let me start with this: "In the UK binge-drinking accounts for 40% of all drinking occasions among men and 22% by women." This translates in embarrassing figures for alcohol related deaths. Cirrosis, accidents and assaults deaths make alcohol the biggest killer in the UK.
If you bother to Google around for pdfs you ll find that although Netherlands is a big consumer of alcohol there are much less death related implications. This suggest that more people drink alcohol regularly but also more sensibly.
So if you were to legalize cannabis for recreational use are we absolutely sure on its effect on society? I have serious doubts, cultural differences in comparisons matters.
