text: legalization of drugs discussion. no stupid answers.? i'd like an answer that sufficiently covers both the positive and negative aspects of legalization of different classes of drugs (stimulants, depressants, narcotics, and hallucinogens) with marijuana as its own class (because it acts as both a depressant and a stimulant). answers should look at the health related aspects (both long term and short term, as well as mainstream and second hand with smoked drugs), economical, political, societal, and personal aspects. it's a hot button issue.    personally, i'm against it, but if your answer ends up concluding that its worth it to legalize, that doesn't mean i won't choose you for best answer. why do people start using drugs? certainly not to feel better; they're challenged by schoolmates and friends, as a rite of passage (pure tribal behaviour). and in seeking acceptance they try them. over time they develop dependency and a strong attachment to them, the same way they do to liquor or tobacco. for some obscure reason the latter are still legal and the former is not. this in turn creates a logical sociogenic outcome: druglords, and the ensuing trail of bloodshed, crime and lack of welfare in drug producing nations. legalizing drugs would at least turn druglords into businesspersons and it would raise a profitable industry....in the early stages. drugs would eventually become so "mainstream" that many kids would not find it a challenge to use them. but i woke up from that dream long a go; governments thrive on druglords, either in colombia, mexico or the us.