Quote:
Originally Posted by Huntingwhale
If you can go to war for your country and die fighting overseas at 18, you should be able to smoke a joint at 18? I guess the counter-counter argument would be to raise the age to join the army at 21  . |
Society has decided that 18 is old enough to make choices for yourself. However, this does not mean that allowing these choices will produce the optimal outcome given our knowledge of science at this time. My opinion on the matter is we should use whatever science we have available to determine what the best age to make substances like this available.
The science I personally have available due to my training says it should be 21, but I am totally willing to accept any conflicting evidence, since there is likely a very wide range of studies on the topics which I have not had the desire to read.
You are right though, if 21 is the optimal age for this kind of thing, then maybe the age to drink, age to join the military, etc should be reconsidered as well, if we want the most optimal outcomes in society. We all know people don't vote based on optimal outcomes though, so it likely would never fly.