Episode 81. Drug Decriminalization and Oregon Measure 110

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Episode 81. Drug Decriminalization and Oregon Measure 110

In this episode, Alex Ooley discusses some common critiques of drug decriminalization and legalization as well as some recent news on Oregon Measure 110, which decriminalized drugs.

Summary

The conversation discusses the criticism and defense of drug decriminalization in Oregon. It highlights the misleading claims and propaganda used by critics to create fear. The inaccurate statistics and fear-mongering are debunked, and the focus shifts to the government's control and the loss of freedom. The discussion explores the shift from criminalization to the true shortcomings of Measure 110. The failure of the war on drugs is examined, along with the impact of legalization versus decriminalization. The cost of the war on drugs, loss of liberties, and police misuse are addressed. The conversation concludes by emphasizing the need for full legalization and the moral principle of self-ownership.

Takeaways

Critics of drug decriminalization often use misleading claims and propaganda to create fear.

The war on drugs has been a failure, costing trillions of taxpayer dollars and leading to increased crime and death.

Legalization, rather than decriminalization, is necessary to eliminate the black market and ensure safer, regulated drugs.

The government's control over personal choices and the loss of individual freedom are concerning aspects of drug policy.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Criticism of Drug Decriminalization
02:02 Misleading Claims and Propaganda
03:04 Inaccurate Statistics and Fear-Mongering
04:10 Government Control and Loss of Freedom
05:27 Shift from Criminalization to Rehab Industrial Complex
06:28 Shortcomings of Measure 110
07:28 The Failure of the War on Drugs
08:55 The Impact of Legalization vs Decriminalization
10:51 The Cost of the War on Drugs
12:06 Loss of Liberties and Police Misuse
13:42 Critics' Ignorance of Failed Policies
16:48 Attributing Increases to Measure 110
18:16 Portugal's Success and Oregon's Room for Improvement
20:44 The Need for Full Legalization
21:18 The Moral Principle of Self-Ownership
23:06 The Overreach of Government
23:58 Conclusion and Call for Freedom

Resources:

Jesse Watters: 'I'm not buying this libertarian mumbo-jumbo' on Oregon state drug decriminalization - YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VaelEQyFygo

Ending the War on Drugs: By the Numbers - Center for American Progress
https://www.americanprogress.org/article/ending-war-drugs-numbers/

Oregon’s Drug Decriminalization Needs to Go Further | Cato at Liberty Blog
https://www.cato.org/blog/oregons-drug-decriminalization-needs-go-further

Fentanyl-Involved Overdoses Soared From 2016 to 2021, Study Shows | Healthiest Communities Health News | U.S. News
https://www.usnews.com/news/health-news/articles/2023-05-03/fentanyl-involved-overdoses-soared-from-2016-to-2021-study-shows

OHA 2479 Opioid Overdose in Oregon - le2479_22.pdf
https://sharedsystems.dhsoha.state.or.us/dhsforms/served/le2479_22.pdf

The U.S. has spent over a trillion dollars fighting war on drugs
https://www.cnbc.com/2021/06/17/the-us-has-spent-over-a-trillion-dollars-fighting-war-on-drugs.html

How Much of Your Money Is Wasted in the War on Drugs - Open Society Foundations
https://www.opensocietyfoundations.org/voices/how-much-your-money-wasted-war-drugs

Economics of Drug Policy and the Drug War | Drug Policy Facts
https://www.drugpolicyfacts.org/chapter/economics

Drug Prohibition WP by Miron & Waldock_2011 update_PaMaster.qxd - DrugProhibitionWP.pdf
https://www.cato.org/sites/cato.org/files/pubs/pdf/DrugProhibitionWP.pdf

Jul-11-23-Drug-War-Flowchart.jpeg (JPEG Image, 939 × 1200 pixels) — Scaled (65%)
https://freedomandprosperity.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Jul-11-23-Drug-War-Flowchart.jpeg

Freedom’s Greatest Hour of Danger Is Now – The Future of Freedom Foundation
https://www.fff.org/explore-freedom/article/freedoms-greatest-hour-of-danger-is-now/

The Silly and Harmful Drug War | International Liberty
https://danieljmitchell.wordpress.com/2016/06/07/the-silly-and-harmful-drug-war/

Lessons from Portugal about Ending the Drug War | International Liberty
https://danieljmitchell.wordpress.com/2017/12/06/lessons-from-portugal-about-ending-the-drug-war/

drug war | Search Results | International Liberty
https://danieljmitchell.wordpress.com/?s=drug+war

Wise Words on the Drug War from John Stossel | International Liberty
https://danieljmitchell.wordpress.com/2012/09/04/wise-words-on-the-drug-war-from-john-stossel/

The Drug War Is a Failure | International Liberty
https://danieljmitchell.wordpress.com/2010/05/17/the-drug-war-is-a-failure/

Reassessing the War on Drugs | International Liberty
https://danieljmitchell.wordpress.com/2023/07/11/reassessing-the-war-on-drugs/

Tags:

#liberty
#freedom
#responsibilities
#personalresponsibility
#drugwar
#police
#law
#oregon
#measure110

DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered legal, medical, or financial advice. The views expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the views of any organizations or individuals they may mention. The hosts and guests are not liable for any damages that may result from someone listening to this podcast.