The idea that we shouldn't allow a substance to temporarily alter our state of mind with the possibility of permanently changing how we think about things really feels like internalized bourgeois ideology. Psychedelics do a pretty good job of lifting the veil of liberalism in my own experience.
Yes, they also have access to better healthcare in general and their jobs are lighter but it's not argument to drop health and job safeties for the workers.
I'm happy to discuss our differences of opinions in good faith, but please don't try and trick me into defending a position that I never took. This is a common tactic that liberals use and we have to be better than that.
I think that this idea that drugs are only harmful for society comes from either:
- Bourgeois ideology that's taught to us both subliminally and directly through our education systems and then internalized by us throughout our lives
- Generational trauma like in the case of China and its history with it being used as a weapon to harm their society
Yes certainly, drugs can be harmful, but to outright dismiss them as only harmful (except in medicine as you stated) is not scientific.
drugs are the weapon in the class war
They're one of many, sure. The bourgeoisie use drugs too btw. They just have access to education, clean supply, and support for addiction.
In DoTP they should be forbidden at least for so long as capitalist drug states like USA exist and use it like a weapon.
Drugs are mostly prohibited around the world, but that doesn't stop the American cartel from using it like a weapon basically everywhere in the global south.
And sure as hell communists should advocate againt drug usage.
In contrast to the negatives, I think there's a lot of positive effects and experiences that drugs have to offer so I have to disagree with you on this.
Like in the case of alcohol?
In short yes. Different drugs should be regulated differently based on many different factors.
I'm not sure that I agree that this is a result of prohibition. There are many factors that play into the cause of drug epidemics. The opioid epidemic for example is a direct result of the profit motive taking precedence over the good of society. The drug in question here is prohibited to those without a prescription. Many people also turn to drugs to escape the horrendous conditions that capitalism creates for them.
Additionally, prohibition creates unregulated black markets. The only way to do away with this is by regulating access through legal channels.
Prohibition doesn't work. Enforcement is costly and never ending. Those who want to get their hands on drugs will do so whether it's legal or not. The major difference when cannabis was legalized here in Canada is that you no longer have to maintain some sketchy contact and be forced to hang out with them on occasion in order to get your hands on it. It certainly hasn't broken down society.
Most of us live in places where alcohol can be purchased legally. Well, alcohol is a drug too. Why should it be treated any differently?
What are we going to do when the state withers away? Will all sections of society continue prohibition? We should instead focus on education and providing support to those who become addicts. The idea that we can solve all drug problems by banishing drugs from society is utopian thinking.
Did someone forget to tell Vijay that China is aUtHoRiTaRiAn?
Great read!
Degrowth never made sense to me. Why hamstring the productive force of society precisely when we're able to liberate it from the shackles of class struggle, allowing it to reach its full potential? Degrowth will lead to collapse, not redemption.
I migrated like a week before the Reddit API changes went into effect. It was a nice week 🫠
The Rev left episode on LaRouche is pretty fascinating. Dropping the link here if anyone is interested.
