[MrLeRoy]

preventing self-harm cannot justify our imposing on others the harms of drug criminalization.

I tend to agree with that statement, but I have have little to prove it, one way or the other.

It's a matter of principle, not empirical observation.

[Cold Heat]

It's a matter of principle, not empirical observation.

Hmmmmmmmmmmmm............It seems the courts did not feel that way.

Look at the current attempts to regulate tobacco under the FDA.

Principles were lost long ago, but in principle I agree with your stand.