Robert Murray commented 2016-11-30 20:47:35 +1300

I know looking at the evidence is the sensible logical approach but it seems these days that evidence always comes in pro and con flavours which results in the decision hingeing on the bias of the looker. The other problem is the difficulty in providing evidence for the lack of something. In this case, it is hard to find evidence that dope is safe because there can be no studies of its effects over a broad population base. There can be no evidence that dope will have a catastrophic effect on society because there have been no societies where it has been in widespread use. So the assessor will have to decide which they think is more probable: thus it comes down to personal preference based on the “facts” presented. Haven’t even discussed the evidence which does not get presented or the value of empirical evidence.