I think that’s definitely false. Drug bans are obviously not 100% effective. But they do decrease the number of users to less than what it would otherwise be. Marijuana use has gone way up in Colorado after they legalized it, and even in the surrounding states where it’s still illegal.
I’m not saying that specific drug should be illegal, it’s just an example that shows bans do decrease usage.
Good point, bad example. Of course use of a substance safer and more interesting than tobacco shot up once it ceased being illegal.
I would not want to see cocaine as the next widespread antidepressant, or rationed to soldiers, and a ban is simply the most economical way of dealing with the matter.
Reading this thread (and the post above) made me think of a potential way for a society to handle recreational drugs. Have them be legal, but make them weak, diluted. A 3.5% limit on alcohol content. Nicotine pouches with barely any nicotine and an unpleasant taste. Weak weed with a foul smell. You can buy any substance you want, but the more addictive it is, the more cumbersome the acquisition and administration. I won’t claim to be at all sure about how well this would actually work. Also, a government wanting to use this idea to tackle drug abuse starting today might need to do some weird stuff during a transitional period. Already established illicit production and distribution would have to get dismantled for this to work since I’d bet a nontrivial number of people would still seek the cheaper stronger illegal versions if they remained available.
I think that’s definitely false. Drug bans are obviously not 100% effective. But they do decrease the number of users to less than what it would otherwise be. Marijuana use has gone way up in Colorado after they legalized it, and even in the surrounding states where it’s still illegal.
I’m not saying that specific drug should be illegal, it’s just an example that shows bans do decrease usage.
Good point, bad example. Of course use of a substance safer and more interesting than tobacco shot up once it ceased being illegal.
I would not want to see cocaine as the next widespread antidepressant, or rationed to soldiers, and a ban is simply the most economical way of dealing with the matter.
Reading this thread (and the post above) made me think of a potential way for a society to handle recreational drugs. Have them be legal, but make them weak, diluted. A 3.5% limit on alcohol content. Nicotine pouches with barely any nicotine and an unpleasant taste. Weak weed with a foul smell. You can buy any substance you want, but the more addictive it is, the more cumbersome the acquisition and administration. I won’t claim to be at all sure about how well this would actually work. Also, a government wanting to use this idea to tackle drug abuse starting today might need to do some weird stuff during a transitional period. Already established illicit production and distribution would have to get dismantled for this to work since I’d bet a nontrivial number of people would still seek the cheaper stronger illegal versions if they remained available.