3 ms·
I wonder how much data there is from countries where it has been legal for a long time, like the Netherlands. When I grew up it was as normal as normal smoking
by tluyben2 8y ago
I wonder how much data there is from countries where it has been legal for a long time, like the Netherlands. When I grew up it was as normal as normal smoking and drinking. Mushrooms were(and are, but they banned some of them I think) also legal but that was not very normal to use, at least not in my circles. All my friends and many of their parents smoked a spliff or 2 in the weekend. Same as they drank some beers. But only the illegal stuff (at that time xtc, speed, heroine and cocaine) was used to excesses that caused issues. I don't think they ever legalized those, but non-dealers were not arrested and the police checked the quality of drugs at parties to filter out bad stuff; when that started happening, the abuse went down too. My crazy house friends (usually converts from metal to house at the beginning of the 90s) went from dangerous abuse to more controlled and moderate use now that it was 'normal'.
So yes, that's all anecdotal, but at least in my circles I have seen over the past 30 years that (semi)legalizing indeed helps a lot; because there is a 40-50 year trackrecord in countries like NL, there must be someone who researched it and has data about the actual effects of legalization and 'gedoog' (semi-legalization) strategies?
- the-dude 8y agoMay I suggest 'non-enforcement' as a better translation of 'gedogen'?
- piva00 8y agoToleration/decriminalisation and harm reduction policies are really important, to give you a parallel: look here at Sweden [0] that despite being really socially progressive in regards to gender and social equality still has some of the most strict drug policies in the developed world. It's not only illegal to trade drugs but also to consume them, if you are caught, for example, during a raid on a rave by the police and they test you for drugs you will get fined and can go to court for it (being imprisoned isn't happening though). You will still have a record for about 5 years even though you had no drugs in your possession. Also, needle exchange programs are fucked up as there is not national policy, it's left to the kommuner and so these programs vary wildly between cities, addicts die because of this paralysis of the system. Portugal is the most common example of how harm reduction policies help to decrease mortality and usage, a better informed population where drugs aren't taboo makes their usage be lower and more responsible. I have some Dutch friends, most don't really smoke weed as often, usually on a special occasion. Harder drugs usage is also more responsible, most of them test their drugs before consuming, don't overdo it. Openness and information invites responsibility. [0] https://i.imgur.com/bqfprnj.png https://i.imgur.com/bqfprnj.png