Lumifer comments on [Link] Death with Dignity by Scott Adams - Less Wrong Discussion
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Actually, no, the reason why you can't buy opiates without a prescription is because they are addictive psychoactives.
You can very easily overdose on Tylenol (acetaminophen, paracetamol), but it will take you a while to die from liver failure. You can buy unlimited amount of Tylenol in every pharmacy.
Like I said, dangerous overdoses and side effects are one reason, not the only reason.
Which drugs are legal, and which don't require prescriptions, is in large part a matter of historical contingency, lobbying and politics. But there are other reasons too, and dangerous side effects or overdose effects are among the more important ones.