>As an aside, most folks do not know that in the Bible the Greek word 'pharmakea' (sp?) (phar-mah-kee'-ahh) was actually translated into the word 'witchcraft' and Paul stated that those who practiced this "would not inherit the kingdom of God", so I suppose that's a part of the basis why some think using drugs is immoral. The use of drugs has traditionally been associated with religious ceremonies.

So... Jesus suggests we drink wine, but we won't be allowed into heaven by consuming the drug? Your Bible should have been proof read at some point. Even as a fictional work, its not that good of a book.

Hmmm, maybe this explains why it is ok to you for laws to be inconsistant. You've become desensitized to unfairness thanks to religion...

>Secondly, and probably more widely spoken of is the notion that use of drugs impedes productivity. Lost wages, theft, sicknesses, etc are all associated with drug abuse and it has a tremendous impact on society.

Most of this (lost wages, theft, unproductivity) is a result of it being illegal in the first place. Not the other way around.

Honestly, Doug, if these things are so bad, why is Alcohol legal? When an alcoholic hits rock bottom, he's probably lost his job, and has probably committed a crime to ge the liquor. So those things exist with the substance legalized. Now, imagine if alcohol cost 100 times what it costs today. THe amount of people hitting rock bottom woudl be higher, and the process would be accelerated. Not to mention decent people with drinking habits would most likely be serving long jail terms.

>Thirdly, I suppose one can make the argument that overuse of drugs impacts the health service industry, using precious resources.

Can you explain this a little more clearly? I'm not seeing what you're getting at.