This is a far more even response than I would have expected. I have many questions, especially about which “modern philosophies” are needed to help curb addictive behaviors at a state level. I think we’d both agree to the fact that most behavior-curbing laws begin small and then incrementally increase control. I think we also critically agree that having a mechanism to remove legislature if it’s not working is so important.

Regardless of that, I don’t think prohibition or criminalization is a bad thing. The government is defined by their ability to monopolize violence. To say we should never wield that violence against certain behaviors as a vote of the culture, I just don’t buy.

That said thanks for the thoughtful response!