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Your Chinese example is meaningless. For the first 100 years of American history opium was completely legal yet nowhere near 50% of the population was addicted.

Scarcity my FReind. Hard to be an addict when the supply is not easily available. Back in those days they thought of it, and used it as a medicine.

And the entire discussion of that subject is completely academic as there’s absolutely no authority anywhere in the US Constitution for the Federal government to regulate what adults put into their bodies. None whatsoever.

I would mostly agree on a Federal Level, but not on the State level. States have the right, and the civic duty to control dangerous substances such as medicines, explosives, and drugs.

Anyone arguing otherwise is as liberal as Obama. Period.

I agree with you that our Federal Government has usurped powers which it should not be exercising, but I wouldn't go so far as to say anyone arguing for a federal role is liberal. Cocaine comes from foreign countries, and it is certainly not within the power of individual states to do anything about this. THIS aspect of the drug war must indeed be handled by the Federal Government, and the Constitutional Authority is granted under the Articles requiring the defense of our nation.

Were someone sneaking in Anthrax, or Plague, you would have no trouble discerning a constitutional authority for the Feds to Stop it. It is that same authority which also operates on the drug poisons being snuck into the country.

The China lesson is that when it is freely available, it spreads addiction throughout it's sphere of influence. Humans are humans, and modern day Americans will become just as addicted as 19th century Chinese, if the circumstances are similar.
Well then your argument is already blown. You can go anywhere, at any time, and get any drugs you want. The ready availability of drugs is well known so America should be in the grips of drug addiction and guess what...it isn't!

Cocaine comes from foreign countries, and it is certainly not within the power of individual states to do anything about this.
Nobody can control where an indigenous plant comes from, not even the federal government.

THIS aspect of the drug war must indeed be handled by the Federal Government, and the Constitutional Authority is granted under the Articles requiring the defense of our nation.
Well there ya have it. Nothing is outside of their realm and there is justification for anything. And instead of making it a trade issue you try to make it an issue of national defense. That's pretty convoluted in thinking.

BTW, cocaine is legally purchased as medicine all of the time. Once again, it's a controlled substance and not an illegal drug.

@How cocaine can be used in sinus surgery
What many people may not realize is that cocaine is also used in medical care, especially in the ENT world.
Cocaine is one of the most potent anesthetic and vasoconstrictor. These two characteristics make it an ideal medication for use during sinus surgery as well as any nasal procedure where bleeding and pain may be an issue.
Many physicians will use cocaine to help stop nosebleeds (I do not).