> Ugh. Does the U.S. have to go through this phoney "it's really good for medicine!" process to legalize every drug?
While it should not be necessary tactic for ending the war on drugs, don't brandish the label "phony" when it comes to the medical benefits for marijuana and MDMA.
Marijuana has been extensively studied, more so than almost any other prescription drug available today, and its medical benefits are clearly established.
MDMA is not quite as over-exhaustively studied, but it's similarly been shown in a multitude of studies to have real medical benefit. Moreover, that medical benefit is for a disorder which is currently not possible to treat effectively with any other drug available, which makes it all the more important.
i think OP is calling the process phony, not the conclusions. the government theatre that acts like it's learning something new about the benefits of these drugs so they can palletize their legalization. (palletize -- to make palatable -- can i do that?)
Re-branding past sins is an essential part of the political process and community healing. It's also the number one reason why people who see the world in rigid terms tend to have a tough time understanding any political process, whether in an executive suite or Board room or Capitol building.
Another way of putting it: an essential part of any successful negotiation is achieving your desired outcome in a way that doesn't make the other side feel like they've lost.
While it should not be necessary tactic for ending the war on drugs, don't brandish the label "phony" when it comes to the medical benefits for marijuana and MDMA.
Marijuana has been extensively studied, more so than almost any other prescription drug available today, and its medical benefits are clearly established.
MDMA is not quite as over-exhaustively studied, but it's similarly been shown in a multitude of studies to have real medical benefit. Moreover, that medical benefit is for a disorder which is currently not possible to treat effectively with any other drug available, which makes it all the more important.