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Comment by kingnothing | Hacker News Reader

Where do you draw the line in legalizing drugs, though? It's a question I often ask myself and others when we start discussing legalization and decriminalization. For example, should everyone be able to buy antibiotics and antivirals OTC without a prescription?

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>should everyone be able to buy antibiotics and antivirals OTC without a prescription?

Of course not. But what does this have to do with legalization? Antibiotics and antivirals are legal and controlled, just like marijuana should be.

In the current legalization debate "legal" generally means legal without a prescription. Those who want it to be legal but only with a prescription generally use the term "medical marijuana" instead of "legalization".

You could be dynamically responsive to black market demand. If there is high black market demand, make it available more easily through legal channels. In the case of antibiotics and antivirals I do not currently see high black market demand.

In my opinion, possession should be legalized in every case; it's not the government's business what I choose to put into my own body. In the case of dangerous drugs and medications it should be distribution / intent to distribute that's regulated.

The problem with misuse of antibiotics is not what it does to you but the risk it carries for the rest of society.

Speaking of anti-biotics: we really need clear easy to understand information for places that allow antibiotics over the counter, sometimes in single doses not full courses. This would tell people aboutthe harm they are doing to themselves and to the rest of society.

Obviously you need some controls - noone under 18; registration for opiates; prescription only use for some meds.

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