1. If dope were legal there would be no money in it.
2. If dope were legal, people would buy it at walmart.
PUBLIC OPINION > A Third of People Would Sell Dope If It Was Legal
SodaHead Living
2012/08/09 20:00:00
"Deliver Us From Evil" director Matthew Cooke just released his latest documentary, "How to Make Money Selling Drugs." The documentary follows drug dealers, celebrities, and law enforcement to get a better understanding of the $400 billion drug industry -- specifically, how and why people get involved in the industry, despite heavy penalties. But we wanted to know how much of the public would sell drugs if they were legal.
Amazingly, a third of respondents admitted they would sell drugs if it were legalized. There were a few reasons people said they would sell dope. Some compared it to the pharmaceutical industry, suggesting there was little-to-no difference between prescription pills and illegal drugs. Others clarified that they would only sell soft drugs, namely marijuana, and avoid the hard stuff. Finally, some said they would only do it if they were in desperate need of money.
Youth Culture
By age, nearly every demographic voted the same, within a few percent of the overall. However, two groups stood out. Voters in the 18-24 group were about 13% more likely than most to say they would sell drugs, whereas the over-65 group was 22% less likely. We were most surprised to see that so many people between the ages of 35 and 65 were willing to sell. They were as likely as teens.
Employment Benefits
Not surprisingly, employment status had a major correlation. Full-time workers were a little less willing than most, while the unemployed were much more likely to sell. As many suggested, and Cooke's movie seems to imply, the idea of selling drugs might be significantly more appealing in desperation. Though, again, there was a good number of employed respondents who said they would.
Gateway Substances
Some say marijuana is a gateway drug, but based on the results it would appear alcohol and tobacco are, too. Smokers were twice as likely to sell drugs as nonsmokers. It could be that some people who listed themselves as "smokers" actually smoke marijuana and not tobacco, but even a good portion of drinkers said they'd consider selling drugs.
If you'd like to vote on this question, dig deeper into the demographics, or engage in existing discussion about the topic, visit our poll about selling dope. We'd love to hear from you!
Amazingly, a third of respondents admitted they would sell drugs if it were legalized. There were a few reasons people said they would sell dope. Some compared it to the pharmaceutical industry, suggesting there was little-to-no difference between prescription pills and illegal drugs. Others clarified that they would only sell soft drugs, namely marijuana, and avoid the hard stuff. Finally, some said they would only do it if they were in desperate need of money.
Youth Culture
By age, nearly every demographic voted the same, within a few percent of the overall. However, two groups stood out. Voters in the 18-24 group were about 13% more likely than most to say they would sell drugs, whereas the over-65 group was 22% less likely. We were most surprised to see that so many people between the ages of 35 and 65 were willing to sell. They were as likely as teens.Employment Benefits
Not surprisingly, employment status had a major correlation. Full-time workers were a little less willing than most, while the unemployed were much more likely to sell. As many suggested, and Cooke's movie seems to imply, the idea of selling drugs might be significantly more appealing in desperation. Though, again, there was a good number of employed respondents who said they would.Gateway Substances
Some say marijuana is a gateway drug, but based on the results it would appear alcohol and tobacco are, too. Smokers were twice as likely to sell drugs as nonsmokers. It could be that some people who listed themselves as "smokers" actually smoke marijuana and not tobacco, but even a good portion of drinkers said they'd consider selling drugs.If you'd like to vote on this question, dig deeper into the demographics, or engage in existing discussion about the topic, visit our poll about selling dope. We'd love to hear from you!
Top Opinion
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janice.heartbriggs 2012/08/09 21:25:24
Most people are ignorant of economic behaviors, but these very same people have big opinions about economics and screw up the country with their economic illiteracy by voting for politicians who promise economic outcomes that they can't deliver, and this includes both left and right.
The right thinks that by outlawing drugs it can "solve" the problem. It only causes extremely high prices for drugs and induces extremely violent people to become sellers. The left thinks that any private behavior should be acceptable, even legal, forgetting that there are private behaviors that while they may be legal, shouldn't be considered morally acceptable, such as cocaine use. The use of marijuana or cocaine, while it may become legal, should still be considered as immoral by most people. If I were an employer and I learned that an applicant used cocaine, I would not hire that person. I mean, do you wan...
Most people are ignorant of economic behaviors, but these very same people have big opinions about economics and screw up the country with their economic illiteracy by voting for politicians who promise economic outcomes that they can't deliver, and this includes both left and right.
The right thinks that by outlawing drugs it can "solve" the problem. It only causes extremely high prices for drugs and induces extremely violent people to become sellers. The left thinks that any private behavior should be acceptable, even legal, forgetting that there are private behaviors that while they may be legal, shouldn't be considered morally acceptable, such as cocaine use. The use of marijuana or cocaine, while it may become legal, should still be considered as immoral by most people. If I were an employer and I learned that an applicant used cocaine, I would not hire that person. I mean, do you want your investment advisor to be a cocaine snorter in her off-hours? What signal does that send to the customer, if the customer were to find out. and I don't mean just conservative customers, either. You want them to make money for you and to have a clear head when they make decisions.
No I wouldn't sell it, there'd be no real market for it when it becomes legal again. It's a plant, just like tomatoes, peas, corn, etc... most would grow it in their own vegetable gardens.
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