We also found that God put benzodiazepine receptors - think of Valium - there and in peripheral receptors too. I would tax natural plants and substances, making it legal. Synthetic chemicals and drugs would remain under the FDA and DEA. If someone wants to smoke opium, it's better than using intravenous needles spreading HIV/AIDS, various types of bloodborne hepatitis and God knows what else. If they want to chew coca leaves or khat, so be it.
There are drug treatment programs for those who can't control it. As it is, the war on drugs is funding Al Qaeda, the Taliban and organized crime besides threatening our civil liberties.
Marijuana started out as “Ditch Weed” with relatively low THC levels.
Today's marketable reefer has been selectively bred by man, and it's three to five times stronger.
Also, since marijuana and opium are God's creation, since you believe they should be lawful, should people who are in prison, on probation, or out on bail be allowed to use those drugs?
Universally, those people now face re-arrest or longer prison sentences if they use those drugs while passing through the justice system.