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
This just proves that the 1/3 of the study respondents would be scum bags.
The law does not say that marijuana is illegal even IF you don't get high, are doing it just to "relax", or are not slurring ones' speech, etc. Possession is against the law, including possession in the body.
Sorry, but marijuana is NOT the "drug of choice" for causing border town violence; it's a gateway drug. The big money is made on power & control, but cocaine & heroin, weapons & people trafficking are the criminal behaviors that are used on the borders to obtain control.
no drug causes border violence, its the laws against the drugs that cause border violence, the fact that marijuana is illegal causes border violence. it is not a gateway drug, i and many of my friends smoke marijuana and have been offered harder drugs and we refuse. we (and everyone with a brain for that matter) know the implications on our health of getting into harder drugs and would rather not destroy our lives to get high, when we have marijuana to do that for us. everyone knows those implications. you do harder drugs because you want to, and most likely are an idiot. marijuana does not influence you to do them because it is nothing like them. youre getting into an entirely different thing when you start doing crack and heroine.
it...
no drug causes border violence, its the laws against the drugs that cause border violence, the fact that marijuana is illegal causes border violence. it is not a gateway drug, i and many of my friends smoke marijuana and have been offered harder drugs and we refuse. we (and everyone with a brain for that matter) know the implications on our health of getting into harder drugs and would rather not destroy our lives to get high, when we have marijuana to do that for us. everyone knows those implications. you do harder drugs because you want to, and most likely are an idiot. marijuana does not influence you to do them because it is nothing like them. youre getting into an entirely different thing when you start doing crack and heroine.
it is estimated that 60% of mexican drug cartels money comes from marijuana trafficking. it is their main driving force. its their economy, you take it away from them and their power shrinks significantly. sure, they will still be there, but i can guarantee you that violence would go down.
I never said that drugs caused border violence. I believe that was your statement. I said the border violence was due to control & power issues. Please go re-read what I wrote for clarification.
I know people who smoke marijuana for medicinal purposes & that certainly does not make them a "bad person". Morality of marijuana? I don't think it's any worse than alcohol or cigarettes, but almost anything that exceeds moderation in its use can lead to immoral behavior, & obviously it causes a challenge with the judgment of people who do abuse the substances (as with all substances, those who use it think they are totally "normal" when using it & that they aren't doing anything wrong, while everyone around them is either laughing or shaking their head, KNOWing they are often anything BUT "normal" when they drink or smoke more than they realize).
I think the jury is still out on the consequences of a community or country whose citizens habitually ...&&
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I never said that drugs caused border violence. I believe that was your statement. I said the border violence was due to control & power issues. Please go re-read what I wrote for clarification.
I know people who smoke marijuana for medicinal purposes & that certainly does not make them a "bad person". Morality of marijuana? I don't think it's any worse than alcohol or cigarettes, but almost anything that exceeds moderation in its use can lead to immoral behavior, & obviously it causes a challenge with the judgment of people who do abuse the substances (as with all substances, those who use it think they are totally "normal" when using it & that they aren't doing anything wrong, while everyone around them is either laughing or shaking their head, KNOWing they are often anything BUT "normal" when they drink or smoke more than they realize).
I think the jury is still out on the consequences of a community or country whose citizens habitually get high, low, or crazy on substances that DO most definitely affect the brain. Too much "chilling" can result in a lazy, uncaring nation, & too much being "on" can result in a chaos & sociopathic-type behaviors.
Generally speaking, though, I think any substance that alters the brain & is used to "cope" or for "escapism" is harmful to the individual, their families, & society at large. From a constitutionality standpoint, I think these drugs should be legalized. I don't care what anyone does in the privacy of their homes. I think we will look more like Russia, though, when that happens. Achievement & motivation are not "high" (excuse the expression) where these drugs are accepted in everyday life by everyday citizens.
Drug legalization hasn't been top priority for me, so I've not spent anymore than a cursory exploration of the topic. Please do us both a favor, though, & stop the judgmental crap. It makes you look like a "dick" (your term), & you lose credibility. That's a female speaking, so please don't bring back your macho F-bombs to the discussion.
so we agree, using marijuana doesnt make you a bad person. i also agree overusing any substance is unhealthy and can lead to mistakes. it seems you are beginning to assume some things...
i smoked marijuana everyday for 2 years and still had the motivation to go to work and give as much effort as i could, to work out 2 hours 5 times a week, to go hang out with friends, to be active and play sports weekly. it in no way slowed me down, i just enjoyed it winding down the day and stuffing my face with food while listening to my favorite music. id like to consider myself a great example of how to responsibly use marijuana.
the reason its a major priority to me is because i was arrested for it not too long ago and it almost ruined my chances of joing the fema corps. i know there are others like me and i think the fact that its illegal is destroying more lives than legalizing it would otherwise do. i have quit however when i got the news that i was accepted into the fema corps and will be leavin...
so we agree, using marijuana doesnt make you a bad person. i also agree overusing any substance is unhealthy and can lead to mistakes. it seems you are beginning to assume some things...
i smoked marijuana everyday for 2 years and still had the motivation to go to work and give as much effort as i could, to work out 2 hours 5 times a week, to go hang out with friends, to be active and play sports weekly. it in no way slowed me down, i just enjoyed it winding down the day and stuffing my face with food while listening to my favorite music. id like to consider myself a great example of how to responsibly use marijuana.
the reason its a major priority to me is because i was arrested for it not too long ago and it almost ruined my chances of joing the fema corps. i know there are others like me and i think the fact that its illegal is destroying more lives than legalizing it would otherwise do. i have quit however when i got the news that i was accepted into the fema corps and will be leaving august 28th. by the way, i had absolutely no withdrawal symptoms and havent smoked for 3 weeks.
so you called me a dick and an ass in your last post. i have called you no such things and havent dropped any f bombs either (where did that come from)? im trying to debate with you respectfully and youre giving me none. tell me whos being the ass now.
Here's what I wrote to the other young male poster, Master, & it applies just as well to you: "Sorry, dude, but I don't make the laws. If you go over the speed limit on our roads, you're also involved in criminal activity. If you carry a gun into a bank, even if it's hidden, you're also doing criminal stuff. Also, that little piece of bubble gum you stole from the 7-11 the other day is against the law. If you don't like the laws, then get them changed. Until then . . ."
No sir, I did NOT call you a "dick". What I stated was, "It makes you LOOK [emphasis mine] like ...&&
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Here's what I wrote to the other young male poster, Master, & it applies just as well to you: "Sorry, dude, but I don't make the laws. If you go over the speed limit on our roads, you're also involved in criminal activity. If you carry a gun into a bank, even if it's hidden, you're also doing criminal stuff. Also, that little piece of bubble gum you stole from the 7-11 the other day is against the law. If you don't like the laws, then get them changed. Until then . . ."
No sir, I did NOT call you a "dick". What I stated was, "It makes you LOOK [emphasis mine] like a "dick" (your term), & you lose credibility." Looking like one & BEING one are two different things. Someone might LOOK like a dog, but that doesn't MAKE them one. See the difference?
I apologize for the F-bomb accusation, as it was the poster, Master, who did that, not you. You both are very young & have had poor manners in these discussions & I mistakenly mixed you up. It used to be that women & older people were treated with respect, & I keep hoping that just because we're going down the toilet economically, we've still got young people in our society who respect themselves & others. The way that you've talked with me, as well as your flipping your finger at our laws while breaking them, indicates to me that you either come from poor breeding, or have not only broken laws, but flagrantly rejected your parents' teachings. Both are disrespectful.
alright, you look like a stupid bitch. hows that? see how that works? dont like it? neither do i, maybe you should consider how your words will make people feel next time.
poor breeding? you deserve no respect from me. i dont care your sex or your age, i give respect to those who give it back to me. my parents support me, they hired a lawyer for me to get me out of the mess i got in. my entire family supports me because they know im not a bad person. and the reason i brought up the withdrawal comment is to give an example that marijuana is not addictive, in case that was in the back of your mind.
P.S. We are taught to use grammar for a reason. Your second (also your last) sentence is just one long run-on, nonsensical trailing of words. Also, it's "and", not "an", sheesh! And yes, I AM a "grammar nazi" if someone is trying to communicate with me, but cannot be understood because of their poor grammar. I wouldn't have said anything, but for the fact that you felt a need to insult me before actually finding out my beliefs about legalization of marijuana.