For as long as drugs have been used (or abused), people have debated over prohibition vs legalization. As a result, drug policies across the globe span the full spectrum of positions. If you're one of the 296 million people who've used illicit drugs, you can go to Vancouver, which is at the forefront of drug decriminalization (for better or worse) or you could try your luck in Saudi Arabia, but you might not come back.

For most of the last fifty years, it seemed like the "Just Say No To Drugs" camp had won the day. Both China and the US had launched wars on drugs, which were often fought with devastating effect on the streets and fields of Latin America countries.

But proponents of legalization (or at least decriminalization) argue that removing penalties from drug use has economic, civil liberty, and public health benefits. Governments can save money on prosecutions and incarcerations, freeing up resources to devote to other crimes. Those struggling with addiction can more easily find support. In Switzerland, for example, drug policy is based on 4 pillars: prevention, therapy, harm reduction and repression.

Where do you stand on the issue and why? What arguments might make you change your mind?

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