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This scenario may seem implausible on many levels. It assumes an extremely forward-thinking, liberal Afghan government with the incredible foresight to anticipate Western attitudes to drugs liberalization that would only materialize some 20-30 years later. Secondly, this is done in a tactful way that the traditional Muslim clergy to not prove too big an obstruction.

Edit: Thanks metalinvader665 for reminding me that opium would be far more attractive for the recreational drug user as opposed to heroin. So what I meant is that ANY by-product of the poppy would be legalized. If tourists naturally drifted towards recreational opium, then that's how this timeline would pan out.


But I’d argue its not entirely ASB. Firstly, King Zahir Shah was a moderate who remained neutral in the Cold War and maintained good relations with both sides. The point is that he had the personality and charisma to pass laws in his own country with little interference from outside. Secondly, Afghans already had a relaxed attitude towards drugs which were readily available all over Afghanistan.


So in this timeline, the Kingdom of Afghanistan under the patronage of King Zahir Shah and under the direction of PM Daoud Khan passes legislation early in 1954 to legalize the production and consumption of opium and heroin within its borders by 1958 at the earliest. The spur being a desire to open up Afghanistan to international tourism and to use this incredible natural resource (the poppy) in the correct way for it to ultimately drag Afghanistan out of its abject poverty.



These are the main goals of this new legislation:

* Short-term: promote and exploit the nascent hippie trail with an eye into turning it into a major revenue stream for Afghanistan. To create official channels allowing the legal exportation of heroin and related products for medical and other research purposes to Western nations and others

* Longer-term: utilize the poppy to effectively transform Afghanistan into a modern nation with a safety net for all its citizens. To ensure the new laws do have a detrimental effect on Afghans, but that they reap the full benefits


The following parts of the legislation would affect Afghans:


1) Consumption of any hard drugs (including cocaine, alcohol, opium and heroin) will continue to remain illegal. However, any Afghan consuming these will NOT punished by jail time. Instead, there will be a move towards treatment, rehabilitation and education so the person does not re-offend

2) Cultivating and processing opium and heroin would be made legal. Selling would be made legal as long as this is done in a regulated manner. All sales are taxed at 10% (initial) though this may increase depending on projected influx of tourists.

3) Basic wage guarantees for Afghan poppy farmers who are unable to sell their opium or heroin directly to the customer (ie farmers too poor to own a coffee shop)


For Foreigners:


1) Consumption of alcohol, opium, heroin, cocaine, marijuana, cannabis, and other drugs legalized as long this is done in an officially sanctioned manner

2) Foreigners will NOT be allowed to export opium or heroin and its by-products or take it out of the country unless this is done legally through official channels

3) Any foreigner found violating these laws will have to serve a full 3 YEAR TERM in an Afghan prison before being deported to serve the rest of his sentence (or none) in his home country.

4) Foreigners WILL be allowed to run establishments selling opium, heroin and related products in officially sanctioned zones as long as one Afghan partner is present in the set-up


To implement this policy:


1) Separate designated zones constructed on the outskirts of each major city – Kabul, Herat, Kandahar, Mazar-i-Sharif etc - containing ‘teahouses,’ nightclubs, and hotels where private recreational opium and heroin use will be tolerated. Within these zones Afghans may build or run any number of establishments, and foreigners can do so with one Afghan partner present.

2) Those of smaller towns and villages would be helped to run similar schemes if the local population demands it

3) Creation of new infrastructure funded by the influx of tourism: modern rehab clinics, hospitals, cafes, hotels, parks, motorways, and so on. Foreign companies would be allowed to compete for these contracts.

4) International governments, pharmaceuticals, medical researchers, and others approached to enter into agreements that would allow heroin and related products (such as morphine) to be exported from Afghanistan legally

5) Islamic clergy (Shia and Sunni) offered a yearly stipend from the government should they wish to receive this. However, should anyone not wish to receive it, they can opt out. No restrictions on preaching against drug legalization, and the stipend will NOT be conditional on this. For example, an Imam or religious organization can continue to preach against drug legalization and still continue receiving a stipend.

6) A referendum to be allowed 10 years after the implementation of the drugs legalization policy (and a further referendums after this if deemed necessary).


How the drugs revenue would be used intially:


* Building world class infrastructure and amenities: schools, hospitals, universities, a modern road network, electrification all across Afghanistan.


The Longer-term plan:

* Free or subsided housing for each Afghan citizen, free education primary and secondary level, free medical care, unemployment benefit


So, how does Afghanistan develop from here on in and what butterflies occur as a result...?
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