NCJ Number
137336
Journal
U.C. Davis Law Review Volume: 24 Issue: 3 Dated: special issue (Spring 1991) Pages: 555-930
Date Published
1991
Length
376 pages
Annotation
Arguments for and against the legalization of drugs are presented in this symposium proceedings.
Abstract
Proponents of drug legalization advance several arguments in support of their position. On a practical level, they argue that legalization will remove the violence associated with drug dealing because the increased supply will lower profitability. On a philosophical level, they promote a Lockeian theory that governments should not have the right to dictate what substances an individual can or cannot ingest. Critics of drug legalization counter with several arguments of their own. They point to health and societal effects of legal drugs such as alcohol and tobacco. Further, they argue that drug legalization will cause similar problems on a larger scale. They also argue that legalization will not eliminate drug-related crime; lower prices for drugs do not mean that drug users will stop stealing in order to get money to buy drugs. Symposium participants look at the arguments and specifically consider cultural, economic, religious, and political aspects of the drug business. They also focus on statutory changes in drug-related legislation and legal reform in California. Footnotes