Should meth be legal?

[Nuclear Unicorn]

10. I'm all for decriminalizing pot but I can't quite make that connection

I don't see how taking a life-destroying substance that is illegal is facilitated by the illegallity of marijuana. If it's a "in for a penny, in for a pound" with regards to simply breaking the law I would caution on the optics of that as it could easily reinforce the "gateway drug" mythology of those who would maintain the prohibitions against pot.

If I may be permitted a moment to digress on a strictly semantic point -- and this is in no way a complaint or indictment of you, Scuba; just me being nit-picky: I prefer to say "decriminalized" over "legalized." It seems to me, on a strictly philosophical point, that all things are free and open unless proven unduly harmful. Call it a naturally occurring benefit of the doubt, innocent until proven otherwise. Pot, like unpasteurized milk or riding a bicycle is a natural thing. It is not criminal in its natural state. It was made criminal by an act of humans.

As to the OP -- I think the surety of addiction and the depth of its bad effects speak to keeping meth illegal. To take meth even once or twice is to all but guarantee addiction and that addiction is life-destroying. A man or woman could come home from work and have a drink or two and be functional adults and parents. The same cannot be said for people coming home to do meth, crack, heroin etc.