1.

Record Nr.

UNINA9910452359003321

Autore

Husak Douglas N. <1948->

Titolo

The legalization of drugs / / Douglas Husak and Peter de Marneffe [[electronic resource]]

Pubbl/distr/stampa

Cambridge : , : Cambridge University Press, , 2005

ISBN

1-107-15050-7

1-281-10866-9

9786611108663

0-511-61484-5

0-511-34501-1

0-511-34465-1

0-511-34426-0

0-511-56707-3

0-511-34535-6

Descrizione fisica

1 online resource (xiv, 204 pages) : digital, PDF file(s)

Collana

For and against

Disciplina

364.1/77/0973

Soggetti

Drug legalization - United States

Drugs of abuse - Law and legislation - United States - Criminal provisions

Lingua di pubblicazione

Inglese

Formato

Materiale a stampa

Livello bibliografico

Monografia

Note generali

Title from publisher's bibliographic system (viewed on 05 Oct 2015).

Nota di bibliografia

Includes bibliographical references (p. 199-200) and index.

Nota di contenuto

The meaning of drug decriminalization -- How should we evaluate alternative drug policies? -- Reasons to criminalize drug use -- Reasons to decriminalize -- Drug legalization : production and sale -- An argument for drug prohibition -- Drug prohibition and liberalism -- Alcohol and other drugs -- Epistemic concerns.

Sommario/riassunto

In the United States today, the use or possession of many drugs is a criminal offense. Can these criminal laws be justified? What are the best reasons to punish or not to  punish drug users? These are the fundamental issues debated in this book by two prominent philosophers of law. Douglas Husak argues in favor of drug decriminalization, by clarifying the meaning of crucial terms, such as legalize, decriminalize, and drugs; and by identifying the standards by which alternative drug policies should be assessed. He critically



examines the reasons typically offered in favor of our current approach and explains why decriminalization is preferable. Peter de Marneffe argues against drug legalization, demonstrating why drug prohibition, especially the prohibition of heroin, is necessary to protect young people from self-destructive drug use. If the empirical assumptions of this argument are sound, he reasons, drug prohibition is perfectly compatible with our rights to liberty.