this might be rambly but here's just one example of why it's complicated hard drugs are illegal: Decriminalizing drugs can help victims of human trafficking get help without being punished for suffering addiction as well. Drug addicts start using drugs* and the addiction is what causes a host of other crimes out of desperation and pain, but they cannot reliably receive help without roadblocks because of the criminal nature. I see the same people in and out of jail in my county. Jail isn't helping these people with (*:) the root cause of their addictions (eg. trauma/abuse) and so that's how they cope

I actually faced difficulties getting mental health treatment myself because I use weed, even, which is part of why republicans piss me off. I say all this as someone for whom drugs tore their family apart. It hasn't helped us at all. I actually had to leave those family members because they were starting to try to get me in trouble to protect their fix. It's really messed up.