Some of the currently illegal substances are not physiologically addictive and are minimally harmful (if at all). There are hundreds of peer reviewed papers tha

Some of the currently illegal substances are not physiologically addictive and are minimally harmful (if at all). There are hundreds of peer reviewed papers that show this. Researchers have also documented some beneficial outcomes through use as therapeutic tools . There is no sensible reason for these substances to be schedule I. Marijuana, LSD, and psilocybin ("magic mushrooms") are three of the more well known examples of this. Additionally, your depiction of the societal effects of drugs is pretty ridiculous ("if drugs are legalized does everyone that avoids addiction need to move to a gated community for safety?"). Upon legaliztion, those who suffer from addiction could receve proper help much more easily, and long term outcome studies could be conducted far more effectively. This, coupled with regulation (which would foster safety standards and quality control), would result in greatly reduced negative societal impacts. Also, drugs which have been proven to have very little benefit and great potential for harm (meth, heroin, pcp, crack, etc) could remain illegal..