Milton Friedman - Why Drugs Should Be Legalized

Milton Friedman puts forward a compelling case for the legalization of drugs More videos and information on issues of liberty is available at http://www.LibertyPen.com

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  News & Politics

[James Coyle]

There is a law prohibiting the operation of a motor vehicle while under many debilitating substances including prescription drugs that law would stay. The possession of a controlled substance is what Milton would eliminate.

[EyeOn Liberty]

Way ahead of his time.

[James Clark]

He would say let the free market decide. Milton does not believe in government overseeing any market. For instance, Milton doesn't believe doctors should be licensed, because the government then creates a monopoly by saying who can have a license. The biggest threat to a company is by people voting with their money.

[cleanhomer]

I support the legalization of all narcotics, because people have the right to do as they wish with their own bodies, no matter how stupid their choice!

[falloutjosh184]

I guess what I'm trying to express is: it's a matter of perspective & relativity as well as individual choice. People don't need to be protected from themselves if they are sensible & know the facts. I don't drink alcohol, yet it is legal. I have the occasional joint (vaporised as tobacco is harmful, cannabis is not) or trip, yet it is illegal. If heroin was legalised, I still wouldn't take it. But I still think all drugs should be legalised. Hope this helps in some way as to where you stand :)

[falloutjosh184]

Going the movies/beach is nice, but there is also nothing inherently wrong w/ taking drugs (other than the man-made laws in place that criminalise it, but these are arbitrary). What is interesting about this topic is why certain drugs are illegal e.g. You can eat a shiitake mushroom, feel satisfied & not break any law, you can eat a poisonous mushroom, die & not break any law, but you can eat a "magic" mushroom, have a visionary experience & break the law. This seems nonsensical to me...

[falloutjosh184]

Sugar (found in chocolate cake) is a drug. There are already many drugs used legally in medicine w/ worse side-affects than some illegal drugs. I've seen & experienced both the + & - of legal & illegal drug use. Both + & - are down to the individual. From a Libertarian POV, this is why drugs should be legalised - it is down to the individual & her/his choice. Education, responsibility & common sense is what is needed, not fear & criminalisation & from an economical POV, it makes sense too.

[Cleo Blacky]

This is an interesting topic. Normally once I've looked into a certain topic, not long after I can make up my mind on where I stand, but I just don't know for this. I have so many mixed thoughts. I'm just imagining if there was a world where people had no interest in drugs. Where they were just like "Yeah, can't really be bothered taking that when I can just eat this chocolate cake". Except for medical use, for operations, it would be cool if we used alternatives for drugs:going to movies/beach.

[Cleo Blacky]

Perhaps they just were trying to give him an even higher class, in relation to their personal beliefs? Maybe they don't believe in god, but refer to him as a "god" not for a religious sense, but rather something to do with the way people look up to him, or like him? I don't know, just trying to suggest an alternative interpretation :) He seems like a nice guy anyway haha ;)

[xxCCBBxx]

It would be interesting to hear his views on how government should oversee quality control. take tobacco companies today. People should check out the health effects of Swedish Snus as opposed to American tobacco. One is regulated as a food product, the other is not, respectively. Any Friedman experts know what he'd say? (I'm not against his views at ALL. Milton Friedman and Michael Scheuer form the majority of my political views today)

[watkinsj81]

Who here thinks that Milton smoked at least one joint?