I suppose this thread invites some discussion on past experiences, but how would you rate these drugs in terms of:
1. Addictiveness
2. Physical destruction
3. Benefits
For example, let's look at caffeine. It's an addictive substance that can result in some mild withdraw symptoms for a few weeks if used regularly. In terms of physical destruction, caffeine is mostly insignificant unless you talk to your dentist. The perceived benefits are wakefulness and, if moderated, alertness. However nowadays caffeine powder exists that some people abuse to keep fit at the gym or stay that final hour at work. This invites some dilemmas since an L50 of caffeine isn't nearly impossible like weed (3 grams vs pounds). I would rank caffeine as worse than THC in addictiveness, physical destruction, and benefits.
So here's my rankings. I included theobromine just as reference:
ADDICTIVENESS (least to worst)
- Theobromine (chocolate)
- THC and mushrooms
- Acid (LSD)
- Caffeine
- Speed/ecstasy
- Xanax/kpin
- Alcohol
- Cocaine
- Tobacco
- Meth
- Heroin/Opiates
PHYSICAL DESTRUCTIVENESS (least to worst)
- Theobromine
- Acid and mushrooms
- THC (smoking mostly)
- Caffeine
- Ecstasy/speed
- Heroin/Opiates
- Cocaine
- Alcohol
- Xanax
- Tobacco
- Methamphetamine
BENEFITS (medical, psychological, pain, etc)
- THC
- Speed and ecstasy
- Heroin/Opiates
- Xanax
- [Disputable] Mushrooms and acids
- Alcohol
- Caffeine
- Methamphetamine
- Cocaine
- Tobacco
This last list was hardest to complete because all of the drugs ultimately have some benefits. For example, some jurisdictions use cocaine during heart failure, and methamphetamine is prescribed to people with SEVERE attention disorders in the form of a pill called Desoxyn. Ecstasy is currently being tested on former soldiers and Marines for its antidepressant effects. I really just wanted to call attention to the fact that society almost always arbitrarily tries to rank substances in terms of their effects without realizing the complexity of the issue. An alcoholic or Xanax addict is in a much poorer state of health than an opiate addict - at least with heroin, you don't have to fear that a day of sobriety will lead to seizures. But in terms of relapsing, I've seen quite a few successful alcoholics but had to watch nearly everyone who surrendered to heroin either lose their life (admittedly this is the fault of the War on Drugs too) or end up in rehab multiple times.