The Legalization of LSD

Thanks starskii for instigating!! I look forward to a great debate.My ArgumentsEffects on the user:The first thing I would like to point out is that LSD trips last around 12 hours (1). That means that if the user has a very negative experience, or a "bad trip" it is going to last a substantial amount of time. Long TermMy source explains, "A flashback can occur days, weeks, months and even years after LSD drug abuse stops. And even only experimentation can result in acid flashbacks. These flashbacks come on suddenly, and usually have no warning (2)." Even if the user has a positive experiences, flashbacks have a possibility of being an issue. If a user stops using LSD, flashbacks may not necessarily go away because as the evidence noted, flashbacks can take place over a year since the drug has been taken. They can occur at any point in time, even when an individual (who previously used acid) is driving, or doing something else of an important nature. "In some individuals, the flashbacks can persist and cause significant distress or impairment in social or occupational functioning, a condition known as hallucinogen-induced persisting perceptual disorder (HPPD) (1)." In extreme cases... "LSD users may manifest relatively long-lasting psychoses, such as schizophrenia or severe depression (3)."Short TermDrugabuse.gov notes, "Some LSD users experience severe, terrifying thoughts and feelings of despair, fear of losing control, or fear of insanity and death while using LSD (1)." This terrifying experience is not only miserable for the user, but it can compel the user to engage in harmful behavior. If the trip is especially bad, the user can be sent to the hospital. "Under the influence of LSD, the ability to make sensible judgments and see common dangers is impaired, making the user susceptible to personal injury, which can be fatal(3)."Effects on those around the user:Even when not on the drug: Look to what I said about the flashbacks. Flashbacks come completely unexpectedly, and they can often be negative experiences. Even if a user of LSD is smart enough not to go driving while on the drug, they could run into an unexpected flashback while driving/doing something important as I mentioned above. Peer pressure: Legalization will undoubtedly make LSD much easier for kids to obtain. 63% of kids who smoke cigarettes note that it isn't hard to find someone to buy the drug for them (4). The same thing can happen with LSD. LSD is more of a party drug, so the probability of teens being exposed to it at a party atmosphere around other individuals who are doing it is high. LSD may not be psychically addictive, but psychological effects are harmful enough. It would be simple for an adolescent to follow along with peer pressure and other things teens are not equipped to handle. We all know how that goes, "take this because everyone else is." Opponent's ArgumentsLSD is not addictive: I would agree that LSD is not physically addictive; however, it can be mentally addictive. Many people use various hallucinogens to such as LSD continually to escape reality. Also, users of LSD build up tolerance over time, so the need for a continual higher dosage can become an issue (5). High tolerance for LSD can translate into high tolerance for various other hallucinogens such as PCP and Ecstasy.Safety: My opponent explains that it is impossible to overdose, and that nobody has ever died from LSD. This may be true, but note that my opponent is only taking into consideration the lack of deaths from overdosing on LSD. LSD is a powerful drug; it would be hard to estimate the amount or self harm/harm done to others done during a bad trip.My opponent then goes on to name some influential people in society who have used LSD and been just fine. This is a logical fallacy called appeal to authority. Just because a figure of authority uses LSD, doesn't mean LSD should actually be legal. There is absolutely no way to prove that LSD was exactly what promoted these people to do great things, so this point falls.Alcohol comparison: My opponent says that alcohol is an equally debilitating drug. Firstly, this is completely untrue. An acid trip lasts around 8 to 12 hours, whereas alcohol intoxication lasts only a couple hours. I will note that driving on LSD is not a major issue because it happens rarely; however, as I said earlier, flashbacks can occur while driving causing major issues for the driver/those around the driver.Medical usage: This argument has nothing to do with the legalization of recreational LSD. If LSD really had medical benefits, medical LSD might be a good idea. Cluster headaches can actually be cured by ergotamine (from the ergot plant) rather than LSD itself (6). Those who struggle with alcoholism/end of death anxiety probably shouldn't take LSD because they are more likely to have a negative state of mind, causing them to have a bad trip. I don't usually attack sources but my opponent got his last source from Wikipedia. The wikipedia page notes that the article has poorly sourced content. Thus, it cannot be looked to as a reliable source.(1) http://www.drugabuse.gov...(2) http://www.lsdaddiction.us...(3) http://www.nhtsa.gov...(4) http://www.tobaccofreekids.org...(5) http://www.drug-addiction-support.org...(6) http://www.mayoclinic.org...