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0 pointsbrightlancer2y ago0 comments

> The one difference though between alcohol and some of the drugs is potency and how quickly one can be addicted to it.

This is a good point.

If I go to the liquor store, I can buy bottles that are 90% alcohol or bottles as low as 3% alcohol.

If we legalize "hard" drugs like opiates, meth, etc. then we'll get a similar differentiation along with the benefit that the drugs will be checked by Trusted Sources (both government and industry) to effectively eliminate certain adulterants.

And for the folks who become addicts (physically or psychologically), there's no legal risk in telling their doctor or therapist or anyone, and they can better enter treatment.

There are folks who drink 750ml (~24oz) of 40% liquor every day. It's rare but they have an addiction. They can also get treatment, while the rest of us enjoy 5% beers and 13% wines more moderately.

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alephnerd2y ago

> I can buy bottles that are 90% alcohol or bottles as low as 3% alcohol

Depends on the state. Some states banned 90%+ hard liquors (eg. Everclear) while other states allow it. Some other states have banned selling hard liquors and wines unless it's from a state run liquor store. Other states just allow open sale at any store. It's all state dependent as the US is federal.

monkpit2y ago

> there's no legal risk in telling their doctor or therapist

Maybe no LEGAL risks, but if you live in the USA and want to have insurance and/or life insurance, you wouldn’t want to disclose this info since they’ll either deny you or charge you extra.

brightlancerOP2y ago

That's an interesting argument -- I don't know if/ how much it's true, but that was certainly the norm for decades for gay men.

On that basis, I think it's better if we remove the legal risk even if there are still societal or economic risks.

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