The Legalization of Drugs?

Hi guys,

I’m doing a report for school on psychoactive drugs (LSD, Psilocybin, Marijuana, Caffeine, Mescaline, Ecstasy, Alcohol, Cocaine, Nicotine, Morphine, Heroin) and during my research I’ve discovered that Nitrous Oxide (Laughing Gas) is also a psychoactive drug. Specifically, Nitrous Oxide, when used recreationally, causes euphoria comparable to the euphoria felt through the use of cocaine, morphine, and heroin. Additionally, the gaseous drug, when used recreationally and medicinally, exhibits anesthetic and analgesic properties. Furthermore, Nitrous Oxide, when inhaled, causes dissociative effects weaker than LSD or Magic Mushrooms, but stronger than the Mescaline of the Peyote Cactus. My question is, do you think such a drug, with so many reputed analgesic and euphoric effects, could be abused by the Medical Community in much the same way cocaine is abused by crackheads? (At this moment, my research so far does not point to any recreational abuse by the Medical Community). I personally believe, after investigating the gaseous drug, that it has more medicinal benefits than Marijuana, and for that reason, I find it a little odd that I have found no data indicating why the Medical Community has not proposed Nitrous Oxide for the clinically depressed, bipolars, OCD’s, etc. as a treatment or that there are no cases of doctors being observed personally using the psychoactive drug. What are your thoughts on this matter? Do you believe Nitrous Oxide could be offered medicinally in much the same way Marijuana is today? Do you believe the medicinal effects of psychoactive drugs outweigh the dangers of addiction and recreational abuse? Should certain drugs be legalized and others condemned by the Federal Government? Why are “hard” drugs like nicotine (cigarettes) and alcohol legalized while drugs purported to exhibit great medicinal and creative effects (marijuana, psilocybin, mescaline) criminalized? Would you vote to legalize Marijuana, as California will do in its Novermber 2010 ballot measures? I would really appreciate your answers on this issue! Both sides of the debate are more than welcome to share their opinions and thoughts!

Thanks!