Humans can be funny, in their ways. Sometimes when they sustain an injury, they incorrectly identify the problem and thus the solution. Take, for example, Jews and pork. The reason Jews do not eat pork is because thousands of years ago, people were dying of trichinosis (which is, of course, a disease contracted from pork). Their solution was to outlaw the eating of pork. Today, we know all you must do to avoid the disease is keep the meat fresh and heat it thoroughly before eating.

One of my old girlfriends had a boyfriend who, when he smoked weed, became a way she didn't like. I don't know the details, but she disliked it so much that when I got some weed, for my chronic condition, she told me to not smoke it. She didn't just tell me, she was like a religion or government, trying to force me into abstinence. Of course, I smoked it anyway and what she found is that when I smoked weed, it was nothing like when her ex-boyfriend did. What this means, is that the weed wasn't really the problem, just like the pork wasn't really the problem, and the only reason she wanted me to abstain was because of a previous painful experience.

Obviously, the same problem exists with her as with Jews (and most other humans). Their solution is abstinence, and usually they attempt to force abstinence through any means necessary. Their problem is fear, a fear of repeating the same injury, and fear of injury in general. The problem with their solution is that, first off, abstinence isn't necessarily safer. When was the last time anyone died of trichinosis? People eat pork all the time. Secondly, they try to force abstinence through terrorism (like, convincing you that if you eat pork you will spend eternity in hell), or through some kind of immediate punishment (which might amount to the tortures of prison). The third problem with their solution is that when you abstain, you miss all the joys of eating pork.

Maybe the cause of their problem comes from too much instinct, not enough philosophy? Whatever the case may be, their condition is a major hurdle blocking change in drug-policy. All drugs can be safely used, and most users do use them safely. With practice, all users can use safely. It is not so much about eliminating injury, it is about how you eliminate injury. If you eliminate both Heaven and Hell, obviously your method of eliminating injury, while successful in its intention, will result in purgatory.