Money. It's all about money. I've done a little bit of research on the substance because of illness in my family and it appears on paper that the healing qualities of this plant a quite remarkable. Exploring it's used in this country for medicinal purposes is a concept still in it's infancy. I can't help but think that allowing it's free use would deal a crippling blow to big Pharma. There's your answer in a nutshell mate.
I agree with your position on not relying on the state to impose limits and rather being able to moderate one's own life. This goes beyond just the consumption of things but in life more broadly too.
Yeah, moderation isn't taught to the younger generation these days. Its all about consumerism. And I agree, its all about money. Just look at the website, the silkroad. Its back up and running, but its the CIA that runs it now.
It'll take some life socks to teach restraint to those who don't have it. Mobile phones are another example. Toss out the 12 month old model that still works just because a newer one is released. I take great care of mine and get years out of them.