If you take a look at the list of controlled substances in the U.S you'll notice that they clearly aren't dangerous drugs that are being controlled. It's enjoyable drugs. Some of the most potent neuro-toxins and poisons on earth aren't listed as controlled substances, cyanide, mercury, the list of dangerous chemicals you're allowed to own is endless. So why is that? why is it that they only care about the substances that we can take joy from, is it an attempt to control us? Tell me, whether you agree with the use of drugs or not, how is Methamphetamine more dangerous than Cyanide?
Why is it we're happy to give Ritalin to children but if a consenting adult wishes to take speed for a recreational high they're condemned and even charged.
How does this make sense. If we want to be free then we need freedom to make our own choices, there is nothing inherently wrong with drugs, me taking meth does not effect anyone else unless I so choose to commit a crime. That crime is not the drugs fault though, it is mine.
In days gone-by I used to try and argue the rationality of it all, the fact that we allow alcohol and cigarettes which are extremely detrimental to health, but then disallow substances like MDMA or Marijuana. I used to try and show people that in countries where drugs have been either decriminalized or legalized either in part or in full, that not only has drug related crime and drug use gone down but it has been advantageous for the economy.
Enforcing the war on drugs costs the US more than $51 billion each year, according to the Drug Policy Alliance. This is a staggering number but also doesn't include all the statistics. For example the amount of money spent to jail and charge offenders, approximately $32,000 a year.
Lets forget that and look at the amount they specifically say they spent. 51 billion. 51 billion dollars to try and stop the spread, use and sale of drugs. Remember these drugs aren't there because they're dangerous, they're illegal because they're enjoyable.
Now imagine they legalized drugs, not just weed but all of them. In Colorado alone between Jan and September 2018 marijuana brought in $200,000 (statistics taken from https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/revenue/colorado-marijuana-tax-data)
Now just imagine if that were every drug not just pot, imagine it was every state not just Colorado. The income generated from tax alone would be enormous before you even include the 51 billion spent to start with.
I went on a bit of a tangent then but my point originally was, that is how I used to argue the point. Now however I just ask Why not?
What reason do you have to say someone cannot put a substance in their body, regardless of how dangerous it is. More importantly why do you care? If you actually look at it it's never the substance that causes the adverse reactions.
Taking meth does not make you a machete wielding wife beating maniac, maybe it could set off some underlying psychological disorder but so could a traumatic experience or stress. I get the desire to minimize risk but it infringes upon what should be our born right to do with out life as we choose.
As anecdotal evidence I can tell you this, I have taken almost every illegal substance around, I have taken meth, speed, acid, weed, mushrooms, ketamine, GHB, MDMA, cocaine etc etc etc. Guess what? I never stole from anyone to buy them, I never assaulted anyone whilst on them, I never did anything harmful to anyone, and yet I could of been arrested every time, I could of been sent to jail for sitting in my garage with a friend doing lines of coke playing video games. How, How is that reasonable?
Some people like to say addiction, but we have no issue prescribing addictive opiods to people but god forbid they where to take heroin which is the same thing.
It seems as long as our drug dealers are wearing white coats its all A-ok.