Drug Policy vs. Individual Rights

Drug law enforcement violates individual rights.

The annals of drug enforcement are filled with examples of violence against innocent individuals.

Prohibition threatens freedom of expression.

Because supporters of drug rights have truth and logic on their side, prohibitionists often resort to trying to censor their opponents. Religious freedom is threatened when drugs are used in ceremonies (such as peyote for American Indians, marijuana for Rastafarians and wine for Catholics).

Prohibition threatens gun rights.

Because prohibition leads to increased violence, prohibitionists inevitably try to control violence through gun control.

Drug prohibition inevitably leads to other prohibitions.

Faced with prohibition's failure, prohibitionists seek more prohibition. Needles, pipes, laughing gas, lab beakers, perfume vials, and public pay phones have all been prohibited in a vain attempt to control drugs.

Prohibition threatens security in your person and property.

Because prohibition can only be enforced through invasive measures, drug enforces continually try to expand their authority to search, spy and seize, without legal constraints. Attempts at forfeiture reform have so far failed.

Prohibition leads to excessive punishment.

In some places, mere allegations can lead to eviction; drug offenders are subjected to mandatory minimum sentencing while violent offenders go free. Even "drug czar" Lee Brown criticized mandatory minimums.

Prohibition violates equal protection of law.

Since drug law violations are so widespread, drug laws can only be enforced selectively. In practice, that means minorities are discriminated against.

Drug prohibition is itself a violation of the right to control your own body.

Drug prohibition violates the basic principle that each individual is sovereign over his or her own body, and is free to pursue any peaceful activity.