(Serious)How to fight the Drug War, withOUT participating in DNM?

So in my personal life I've been conflicted with my passion to fight the drug war on the side of the good guys(the ones who advocate for personal freedom, Harm reduction, and champion nonviolent & responsible use...Us) Since the days of SR1 i loved discussing legal policy, politics and harm reduction among other things with forum members and subreddit members who share my interest and passion for changing the drug laws, and winning the war on drugs. However recently I've been questioning my passion and dedication more and more. IRL, i cannot continue the way i have been living for legal and personal as well as medical reasons. I have had to give up a lot within my personal life, but i had always justified it to myself as dedication to a larger cause that i always felt WE were on the cusp of winning. What with marijuana being legalized and other drugs becoming more socially accepted. As well as rehab becoming more popular as an alternative to incarceration. And it seems like every week, if not every day, there is some article on r/worldnews, or something talking about the changing tides of the WoD, and it almost always seems to favor our cause. Either the UN is discussing implanting new policies or Congress has approved yet another anti-draconian law, Or Canada/Mexico/Illinois agrees to legalize. Even some of the harder, less socially accepted drugs are being looked at in a new light. Scientific & medical research into LSD or MDMA for depression, PTSD, and many other things. This is all good news to me, and I'm sure many of you agree.

But because of my personal circumstances i cannot continue to use drugs or DNM. I have new priorities that make me want to 'retire' in a sense. My passion for drug use and harm reduction and better-sense legal policies remains. But i am conflicted in how i will move forward from here. I know no-one can answer this for me. But even if some of you have insight from your lives and your experiences feel free to share them.

Am i crazy to think that significant change will happen within my lifetime? Will a reasonable government ever pardon non violent offenders? Does Ulbrict have a chance to breathe fresh air ever again? Or am i hanging on to a diving dream because its what i WANT to believe, and its what I've been brainwashed into thinking by being a part of the SR community and this reddit community. There will always be drug use, and there will always be hard-ass hardcore bible thumping christians and republicans and authoritarians who want to lock up people for profit for 'crimes' that only affect the user. This is not fair, and the drug war has failed in many ways, but yet it continues. Is there just too much incentive for any meaningful change to occur? And more importantly how can i continue the fight to restore freedom of personal choice and encourage other to experiment with their consciousness and give psychedelics and other beneficial drugs a chance to change the world for the better? Its too dangerous for me to live the way i have for the past few years. But i believe this is my calling in life and want to make a living out of this passion of mine. Im no doctor, or attorney or LEO or lawmaker but i want to assist and fix the system through legal means. So i don't have to look behind my back and hide my IP and possess substances/plants that will jeopardize my freedom.

I know that it is still good to have people on the front lines of the WoD and these you're generations are really waking up and fighting for what they believe is right(also the college kids these days just really love smoking their pot LOL) But i want to step out of the Dark(net) and use my time and knowledge and dedication in the most meaningful way possible.

How do you feel about the current events in our society that lead to more sensible drug laws? What can we all do to protect what we have here and make our sub-culture a little more accepted and not so...illegal?


Comments


[15 Points] AndThenHeSays4:

Support and donate to orgs looking to reform the laws. NORML, National Drug Policy Alliance, etc. Write your senators, participate in local council meetings where they discuss community drug policy/policing. Advocate for harm reduction centers like methadone clinics to help addicts. Try to find ways to communicate to people that drug abuse is a public health (and very personal) problem and not a degenerate criminal problem.


[11 Points] RemoteViewingTrainee:

Bernie Sanders believes the United States’ current “war on drugs” is a failed policy. He recognizes that the war on drugs has not quelled the drug-use epidemics facing the nation. Instead, he advocates treatment for drug addiction, not punishment – and he’s repeatedly introduced legislation to extensively reform the criminal justice system along these lines. He supports medical marijuana and the decriminalization of recreational marijuana, and has said that he supports the right of states to opt for full legalization.

http://feelthebern.org/bernie-sanders-on-drug-policy/


[3 Points] WarmNights:

The Drug Policy Alliance (DPA) and the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS) are my favorite organization, along with erowid.org for harm reduction. Support them, and write to your representatives...this movement is growing exponentially.


[4 Points] BenzoBlotters:

Being clean, having a clean house, and not being directly associated with drug use/acquisition allow you to be much more outspoken about the cause.

As mentioned by others, donate (time or money) to groups that are fighting to end the War on Drugs. One group that we haven't seen mentioned here that we're a big fan of is LEAP. (Law Enforcement Against Prohibition)

Also mentioned before, but worth reiterating, is contacting your representatives and voicing your opinions in a clear, well thought out manner. It shouldn't be hard, as prohibition has never done anything positive and is completely non-sensical from so many different points of view. Alcohol and tobacco are legal and regulated, and it's harder for kids to get those than it is for them to get a lot of illegal drugs. There are plenty of paths to legalization that include regulation and focus on harm reduction.

Keep fighting the good fight!


[5 Points] swimgoy69:

My theory is that if enough people did stuff like Ayahuasca, LSD, MDMA, and DMT there would be a change in the collective consciousness (and conscience) and people would realize how the war on drugs is not a war on drugs but a war on people and it is little better than the Spanish Inquisition.


[4 Points] CynicalElephant:

Holy shit dude, you are a passionate mother fucker. You're like solaire from dark souls man.

Regarding your post, you've fought the good fight soldier, you can stand down. Just vote for who you should vote for, and you'll have lived honorably.


[3 Points] jadenpls:

Vote for bernie lol


[2 Points] None:

The war on drugs is bad and wrong. There should be a new word for the war on drugs like badwrong or bdong. Yes! The drug war is bdong. And fighting against the war on drugs is gnodab.


[2 Points] DNMthrowaway187:

Everytime you see misinformation out there about drugs, shout it down. Advocate for individual freedoms and help uphold a standard of Positive experience and fight the bullshit FUD that is spread so freely through our media.


[2 Points] papayabananatree:

Spread awareness. Change hearts and minds. After decades of propaganda and false information, the internet has finally freed information, allowing people to see the truth about drugs, but the biggest obstacle is still the ingrained suspicion of "drugs" on the part of many (through no fault of their own). More importantly, we cannot allow those fighting the drug war to be pidgeonholed as "countercultural radicals" as they did with the movement in the 60s. It's important to show that those who seek altered states of consciousness are fully functional human beings, no different from your average Joe, who's always been trained that "DRUGS ARE BAD." The conversation is changing, slowly but surely. I do indeed believe that marijuana is the tip of the iceberg. Once it is legalized in enough jurisdictions, people will be forced to confront the fact that what they knew about the harmful effects of cannabis were simply not true. This kind of realization should spark people's imagination, and lead them to question other deeply held beliefs. We live in a time where populism is on the rise from the US to Europe, where people are questioning the status quo and rejecting the narratives that have been spun. With this awakening of consciousness, I believe people will be receptive to new ideas and new strategies. With Canada planning to legalize recreational marijuana in 2017, many US states likely to do so in November, and Mexico likely on the path to decriminalization (a stepping stone to legalization), it's becoming increasingly clear that there is a rejection of the failed policies begun by Nixon in the interest of imprisoning minorities.


[2 Points] None:

We all need to unite for a higher cause. LGBT/black lives matter/prodrug/prochoice/etc. and work against the real enemy. the goons in congress. We need anarchy. start fresh fromm the bottom to the top. contniue what our parents started in the 60's: one love, one god, one people. LSD is illegal because it unites our minds. We need to stop seeing the differences and instead see the same things we all love and are fightinf or. Freedom, a future and a world for our children, the right to live and love whoever. This can't be real. It can't be 2016. We're fucking blind sheep. edit: I will shit twice and revolt if trump is president. I promise edit; haha. I'm only kidding. love to the supreme and powerful overlord The United States of Consumption. I love thee. You are the lesser of all evils and I will continue to suck your hid tit.


[2 Points] None:

There's always the good 'ole cardboard sign protesting thingy. Don't have to be a hippie to be peaceful. It might not work but hell, what is actually guaranteed in this world?


[2 Points] Vendor_BBMC:

Watch the horrifying beheading videos on el mundo narco, there is war WITHIN the drug world as well as the one against it/

A man who would know once told me "murder follows meth like the tail follows a dog".

There are no gang murders in online turf wars, just rumors repeated about so-and-so's bars having this or that in them.

DNMs have taken the "war" out of drugs, and the void filled with harmless lies.


[2 Points] Theeconomist1:

Just a note - I'm a republican and I'm here. Well, I'm not card carrying, but historically I've voted for republicans in most elections, esp presidential. In my 20s I was very staunchly conservative and republican. I didn't believe in gay marriage. I didn't believe in drug legalization despite me being an addict.

Ive shifted my beliefs greatly since then. Out of self interest, i will vote for the candidate least likely to fuck me from a taxation perspective. But socially I'm much more liberally in my old(ER) age. Things like not allowing gay marriage I believe actually go counter to what a real conservative should be. This is my own definition of what a conservative is so I've hijacked the word perhaps, but a conservative should not make legislation banning activities between consenting adults. I don't care who you want to fuck. Why conservatives have latched on to this is dismaying. I'm small government. That means no legislating sex, drugs, and what people do to their bodies or in the manner in which they pursue happiness. It's not my business how you conduct your business. Likewise it's not the governments business either. Now I know most conservatives don't subscribe to these beliefs but im hijacking the phrase to describe me Bc I'be called myself that for so long.

The point being people can change. And people can change other people. 20 years ago I'd never have imagined hanging with this motley crew here. I think making wide sweeping changes is very difficult. But why make that your goal? Work on changing the hearts of individuals. Now I'm not the greatest optimist when it comes to people but I will say people can change. I've changed and I'm actually quite stubborn.

Now I still tend to vote on who'll fuck me less. I'm tired so I can't write more. But I can say I'm exhausted with the state of the Republican Party. It's gotten sick. And this is from a long time republican voter. I'm just sick of them making a platform on denying people basic human rights. So to sum up, I'm socially decently liberally. Financially still very conservative. I like getting fucked, just not by the IRS.

Secondary don't necessarily count out conservatives. Like I said people change. You might not be old enough to remember but the fact day marriage is even discussed is something huge that's happened in my lifetime. Never would I have imagined this being discussed. It's far from perfect, but if you want an example of a huge sweeping change, look no further than gay marriage. That is a HUGE shift in thinking at a national level.


[1 Points] Vendor_BBMC:

DNM-related murders are unheard of. Your chances of arrest are greatly minimized. But the same pseudo-anonymity and layers of encryption which keep us safe from harm also keep liars and frauds safe from the consequences of their actions. Anybody can rip anybody else off - once - then they have to change their pseudonym.

In the world of legal trade, recognizable brand names are very important. The less trust there is, the less-familiar the environment, and brand recognition becomes overidingly-important.

You don't look at your local mcDonalds twice. But if you have 3 hours to kill in Calcutta airport and you're hungry, you could go up to the lady mopping the McDonald's floor and kiss her, you're so pleased to see her. You can have a beer with your big Mac in Barcelona, but you pretty much know what you are going to get.

Do you remember the first darknet market you ever saw? Remember how you couldn't believe that first page of square photos of uncut heroin and cocaine and every drug imaginable? Well, you now know you were right to not believe it.

Maybe you were dismissive of HumboltFarm's weed deals on agora, you'd found better-value small growers and vendors. But when your favorite marketplace just disappeared and you are in the low-rent mall with Jay & Silent Bob, seeing HumboltFarms among those square photos is suddenly important.

Its probably a real marketplace, and at least there is somebody likely to ship you weed. All those returning scammers with their new names may as well be clairvoyants with three nipples.

I had a look round Outlaw yesterday. Its been running without drama since 2013. It's feature-rich but with a kinda windows-95-looking interface. "Why isn't this marketplace the top one?" I thought. I was offered a free vendor account a couple of years ago, so I messaged support and quickly got a very detailed reply.

Becoming a vendor on there is fucking complicated. I'm not the highest-profile vendor around, but I can safely say I would be the most-recognizable name on Outlaw marketplace.

They want 1 btc vendor bond for me to do a choice of FE and escrow listings, even though I'm a SilkRoad vendor, I've never had a dispute, I bring coachloads of my own bitcoin-rich customers, and I would be the only vendor in those square photos you will have heard of.

Ive paid 5 vendor bonds and never got one back, and I don't feel like paying $500 to launch on some obscure marketplace with new products and a coordinated video campaign, and give an also-ran market all my customers. They should be paying me.

That's another marketplace crossed off the list.


[-1 Points] xanaxmanthevendor:

buy a heavy bag and hang it from your ceiling and fill it with kilos of drugs and punch the living shit out of it till it surrenders.

Or do what these fine people are saying they got lots of better ideas :P