Alcohol, tobacco and other drugs have a much more severe effect on the young. Small amounts have greater effects due to their smaller bodies of course. The chemicals in Alcohol, tobacco and THC cause all sorts of developmental problems in children. This is complicated by the fact that no two people develop at the same rate. To further compound the problem, various development processes will occur at different rates for the same person.
To make the laws fair and apply to everyone equally, the goverment has taken the easy way out, by setting a completely arbitrary date. They had to choose some criteria, basing it on a doctors exam or IQ test leaves far to much up to some indaviduals interpratation. By settnig a date, there is nothing left to interpretation.
A quick question, do you disagree with societies right to set the criteria or with the criteria set?
Amazingly, with the exception of public consumption of alcohol, most criteria are fairly reasonable. The majority of people have reached full developmental maturity between 16 and 18 years of age. Personally, I would prefer driving, drinking and draft age be set at 19. That's just My Humble Opinion. |
