I'm wondering

[fflo]

If you're not already opposed to recreational drug usage for some other reason(s), do you think there's a moral imperative for people engaging in the practice not to contribute to the market/demand that's fueling that horrific violence in Mexico?

Comments

[wednes.livejournal.com]

You know, I don't shop at Wal*Mart because they are evil. So it wouldn't really be okay to turn around and buy drugs from Mexico. Problem is, I'm not even well-informed enough to know what drugs this refers to. Mexico makes me think of poppy or cocaine, but I really dont' know.

Shop local, that's what I always say!

[fflo.livejournal.com]

I was thinking the question could be broadened to be about other drug markets, and then all the way to all markets, our demand in which causes plenty of problems. But I just saw something about how there are already (by someone's measure) more than twice as many drug-market/gang deaths in Mexico this year than last, and last year was already crazy.

I don't know where which drugs come from. I suppose most of us don't.

[wednes.livejournal.com]

Of course, legalization would take care of a lot of that nonsense, and make plenty of tax money to boot. California is proposing general legalization with a $50 per ounce sales tax.

[fflo.livejournal.com]

It sure would.

That 50 bucks times some really big number might just pull California out of its fiscal trouble, or dang close. But do they have room for all the people who'd want to move there?

I hear Obama's administration has backed off on busting state-legal pot stores under federal laws. Wonder how backed-off they'd stay with broader legalization.

[radicalteacher.livejournal.com]

That was thought-fodder for me when living in Phoenix, because of the likelihood of students like mine or parents of students like mine being involved.

As with everything else, I prefer to buy local if given the chance. Otherwise, in this case, I'm just as happy going without.

[crankyasanoldma.livejournal.com]

It is hideous that the U.S. demand for drugs has created such horrible problems in countries south of the Border (Mexico just being the most recent example). But my limited understanding of the drugs market led me to believe that if you wanted/needed it, you just bought what you could get. Can drug users be picky about their supply chain?

[fflo.livejournal.com]

That's sorta my hunch--like, no, short of growing/making one's own, or being a mere step or two away from the origination.