For that matter, I'd probably regulate almost all fast-acting, mind-altering chemicals, including many prescription medications that are cash cows for doctors and pharmaceutical companies.

However, alcohol is not as fast-acting a mind-controlling substance as is marijuana. It is still prohibited in certain manners, and a good thing it is too.

That's why we have "limits" on blood alcohol content, because so much research has tied in sensory failure and distortion with specific quantities of blood alcohol.

In theory I would support a set of "limits" for marijuana consumption in place of simply arresting folks for possession. However, the problem with marijuana is - even more so than alcohol - the folks using it are desperately trying to alter their perceptions.

I truly enjoy flying smoke free and support private institutions and government buildings prohibiting smoking indoors.

The balancing act the government in my opinion has responsibility in providing for the welfare of others not the individual user.

Weighting the law to protect victims of crime makes sense.

Weighting the law to protect those who may be out of their minds on drugs, in lieu of weighting it to protect personal liberty of the individual - also makes sense to me.

Yes, defeating the crime circle in the slums means undercutting the profit margins. However, legalizing without strict consumption limits opens up a society with many more psychotic and sad episodes daily than the present one already affords us and the problem of testing would be almost unworkable with present technologies. It would require expanding police powers, beyond the price most non-drug users should have to endure to control the drugged out masses.

Legalization of drugs can occur when we see an increase of intelligence across the board of humanity on the order of twenty IQ points. Before then would be like handing razors, blades and scissors to babies - and expecting them to act responsibly.

Heck - you dig around the web and see the insanity. Many of those folks are ALREADY drug-free. Imagine the insanity of a culture where drug legalization takes hold.

Or just take a trip to the Netherlands - walk the streets around the coofeehouses and you will see how they live up to their name. Sleaziness is not an admirable trait in any city. In a country the size of America it would be pure pandemonium. As a a gun owner you should also take note - all this crime in the Netherlands is mainly petty (theft, pickpockets, prostitution) because they prohibit ALL firearms.

Legalize drugs and you will almost have to criminalize firearm possession. That is... unless we want to start a bizarre and messy population control technique.

Just another ten cents,

SDAI-Tech1