3 ms·
> If no one ever used heroin, we wouldn't criminalize it (as indeed we don't criminalize selling other random chemicals). In a way [0], the US does preemptivel
by 75j 10y ago
> If no one ever used heroin, we wouldn't criminalize it (as indeed we don't criminalize selling other random chemicals).
In a way [0], the US does preemptively ban chemicals, regardless of whether that chemical has even been synthesized or used recreationally yet.
[0] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Federal_Analogue_Act https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Federal_Analogue_Act
- Bartweiss 10y agoFair enough, but I think the logic of the point stands. We don't criminalize baking soda, we're just trying a Minority Report sort of approach to things that are likely to be used rather than playing catch-up with known-psychoactive analogues. Certainly the metaphor bit still applies - selling and importing these things are only banned because of their abuse potential, not because the chemical is seen as intrinsically bad.