It's just a bit weird for me. Tobacco is an addictive drug and it's not better at all than amoking meth, mj, etc. I wouldnt care if other drugs were legal, everybody makes rheir own choices and has their own lives after all... but why is nicotine(and alcohol...) the only legal, highly addictive drug? Is there some good reason behind it, like in history or culture? Otherwise it doesnt make sense to me...
Responses (3)
Tobacco and alcohol have been in this country since it was discovered. If it can be taxed and controlled, it can be legalized. That's one reason why they are now legalizing weed (marijuana). It's all based off of the demand and if the government can control that demand to make it profitable.
The question in this regard, in a free society, is what are the criteria for something to be against the law? The theory of a free society is that people are free to do as they like unless that activity is harmful to other people. That harm can be inflicted financially, physically, reputation, or against one's property. It is very important in a free society that no laws are passed to reduce our freedoms unless, again, there is real harm to others. Making something illegal because it is not “good for people” is NOT the purpose of laws in a free society. People in a free society make their own decisions in that regard and do not tolerate unnecessary control of their freedoms. There is also a great deal of disagreement of what is unnecessary control and what protections of others are reasonable. The US originally made religious rules into laws but some religions did not like being controlled by other people’s religious rules. Much of the country has determined that laws based only on religious beliefs are contrary to the tenants of a free society and some parts want their own religious beliefs to control everybody. Laws do not keep people from harming themselves nor are they intended to do that. Laws that make addictive substances illegal are impossible to enforce and the law enforcement cost to put people in jail who insist on using those substances is monumental and completely overwhelming. We can’t do it, we know we can’t do it, and a free society should not be wasting our time and resources trying to accomplish that impossible task.