Controlled substances are becoming a popular topic for debate in states throughout the country.
Many people are becoming aware of the effects of controlled substances on adults and especially children.
Drug overdose deaths from both controlled substances and prescription medications are increasing, exacerbated by lockdowns. The effects have been so dramatic that we are seeing a decreased life expectancy throughout the nation.
The news of overdose deaths gets mixed in with political ideology about how certain substances are “gateway drugs.” Imagine how these thoughts would play out if they said the same thing about alcohol. Prohibitionists would argue anything aside from natural medications and food is detrimental to human life. For example, many people advocate for tobacco bans in public places.
A different approach could be more extensive FDA testing of controlled substances on adults in long-term trials under guided medical supervision. Unfortunately, if the medical trials are government operated some conspiracy theorists will impute a diabolical motive such as the Tuskegee Experiment or MK Ultra.
In my humble opinion, people should not attack the idea of government-run medical experiments just because certain agencies (CIA, etc.) chose to abuse their power in the past.
I am not arguing for private companies to do such experiments, as the profit motive could create a conflict.
Given the number of states that have legalized marijuana, the federal government should legalize marijuana and decriminalize other controlled substances and let the states manage their own drug laws, since the states are more accountable to the people.
The states should manage the controlled substances and drug supply. It should not allow private corporations which may promote addiction to make more money.
Each state’s Department of Health is the logical state agency to manage this process, in conjunction with medical doctors. This should be primarily used to help people who:
1) have no other form of treatment for terminal illness,
2) are drug addicts needing help to wean themselves off hard drugs and move them toward a path of non-addiction.
To clarify my opinion, I do not think hard drugs should be legal. Meth, cocaine, crack and the like should not even be decriminalized federally.
But all of the others should be decriminalized federally, but not legalized, for testing, except marijuana, which should be fully legal now for everything, including at least medical use with Hemp and CBD.
If states choose to legalize cannabis in their state, the federal government should not interfere with the policies of the states to choose their own marijuana policies.
Children shouldn’t be allowed to use any drugs until 21. Good parenting would distinguish between use by adults and use by children. Parents need to set a good example by not getting hooked on any illicit or lethal substance while being a parent.
As a prelude to federal decriminalization, the United States must be ready to withdraw from various international treaties on drug prohibition. These include:
The First International Opium Convention (1912),
The Second International Opium Convention (1925),
Agreement concerning the Suppression of the Manufacture of, Internal Trade in, and Use of, Prepared Opium (1925),
1931 Limitation Convention for Limiting the Manufacture and Regulating the Distribution of Narcotic Drugs, Agreement for the Control of Opium Smoking in the Far East (1931),
The Lake Success Protocol (1946)
The (1948) Protocol Bringing under International Control Drugs outside the Scope of the Convention of 13 July 1931 for Limiting the Manufacture and Regulating the Distribution of Narcotic Drugs
The (1953) Protocol for Limiting and Regulating the Cultivation of the Poppy Plant, the Production of, International and Wholesale Trade in, and Use of Opium,
The 1961 Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs,
The Convention on Psychotropic Substances (of 1971),
The United Nations Convention Against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (1988-1990.)
John Emmerich is a Northsider.
