There is a theory that seems correct - when a drug is banned, the black market moves towards the most potent version available. Even during prohibition it was

There is a theory that seems correct - when a drug is banned, the black market moves towards the most potent version available. Even during prohibition it was way easier and profitable to make bootleg whiskey than beer. Why? It’s easier to conceal, packs the most punch, and is the most profitable by weight. Instead of making heroin legal, make opium legal. Or even weaker opioids like codeine. Then people who wanted an opioid high would have access to legal, clean, less potent opioids that could be taken in a less harmful way than IVing black tar heroin.