Richard “Virgin” Branson and Ruth Dreifuss from Switzerland have now given “evidence” to the committee about drugs policy. As a matter of fact, both Branson and Dreifuss gave extremely poor, if any, arguments for the introduction of a more lenient drug policy.
As for presentation of facts, Branson & Dreifuss left a lot to wish for, especially when it comes to their description of the situation in Portugal and the Netherlands. Furthermore, Branson admitted that he hadn´t studied the recently launched British drug policy strategy, which obviously didn´t prevent him from having views on the changes needed.
Branson also admitted own drug use, adding that he would have been worried if it had been tobacco.
Dreifuss, naively enough, claimed that organised crime would disappear if drugs were to be regulated. That would not be the case as organised crime doesn´t have to follow any rules and regulations. They can compete with a state-run system by lowering the price, and target age groups that wouldn´t be covered with a state-run system.
This kind of hearing doesn´t provide the committee the opportunity to delve deeper into the statements and facts presented, which is unfortunate.
To build future drug policy on the statements made by Branson & Dreifuss and other members of the Global Commission on Drug Policy would be a stepping stone to disaster.
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