system
Given the following post, respond as if you're commenting on Reddit:
human
CMV: the best way to end the drug crisis is through legalization and regulation.

I think legalization and regulation are the best steps for society to combat the drug crisis. 

I want to clarify two terms beforehand. 
Best: The most effective, easily implemented, and least harmful plan. 

drug crisis: the current problems surrounding drug use.  
overdoses, addiction, drug related incarcerations, money going to criminal organizations, etc…

This hypothetical is based off America in particular but I think this could be done around the world as long as there is an effective regulatory system to prevent fake or improperly made drugs. 

Pros 

No more nonviolent drug offenders forced into the prison system for years. 

Standardized accurate doses

No ‘lacing’ with other drugs.

Clear warning labels of the effects of the drugs. 

More tax income

Less money going to criminal organization. 
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Damn. As I write this I considered whether prescriptions should be needed to acquire the currently illegal drugs that became legal in my hypothetical. This led me to another question: should prescription drugs be made freely available to the public?

It would allow people to self medicate themselves for any condition and the price of medicine would hopefully eventually lower as mass production combats the growing demand. And the removed barrier would increase transparency and hopefully increase competition to further lower prices. 
Maybe a system where people can buy any drugs they want, but are legally required to get a physician’s opinion on the supposed treatment would be best. They didn’t have to take his advise, but they had to hear it. 

Man idk about that prescription tangent. I’m kinda on the fence about that part.  Maybe while I’ve got the hammer of drug legalization everything looks like a nail. 
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Anyways, I know the wording of my definitions  were a little arbitrary but basically if you have any other plans to better deal with drug issues or have spotted the flaws in mine please comment. 
And you’re more than welcome to tear apart the tangent I went on.
gpt
>It would allow people to self medicate themselves for any condition and the price of medicine would hopefully eventually lower as mass production combats the growing demand. And the removed barrier would increase transparency and hopefully increase competition to further lower prices.

This is a really bad idea. Medicine like anti depressants can have a side effect of making you suicidal, or more suicidal. Taking them without guidance from a mental health professional, especially in the early days when your body is first adjusting to the drug, can be dangerous.

Many other over the counter medications also have severe side effects. Making them easy to access might be helpful monetarily, but even then I'd argue against it.

The reason why drugs are often so expensive is because there is one drug manufacture per drug, and they can charge whatever they want for it. Basically, the issue is that drug companies have a monopoly on certain drugs, not that doctors prescribe them. The best way to lower prices would be to break up these monopolies imo. No one should be in a position where they have to choose between their medication and eating, as is often the case, and medicine companies that charge so much for life saving medicine are absolutely cruel.

I'd argue that medicine should be far cheaper, but that medication meant to help with certain conditions that can have serious side effects should still need a prescription to obtain.