In the cases that some people brought up in this thread, producing PMA with out it being introduced into the community around you and with some sensibility can and does actually happen (not all "clandestine" chemists are synthesizing these drugs for distribution). If they do so responsibly, even if they are unfortunately caught, they shouldn't be punished for their understanding and practical application of chemistry and the individual ingestion of a synthesized compound. If its being done recklessly and potentially dangerous to unaware innocent individuals, like with the manufacturing done by many methamphetamine cooks, then yes it becomes a problem that should be considered a problem.
I don't like some of the reactive effects resulting from the governments concern of 'bath salts' or 'spice' products, and do agree that selling drugs under a guise of a BS product without description of what and how much of it/them really are in them, shouldn't be tolerated. Reactive banning of the chemicals within them I don't agree with. Some of the products are known to have been used safely when properly identified/dosed and something for the government to consider; by mass banning products, it fuels the market with many more untested and unresearched products seen in the past half decade or more to make a bigger mess than they previously had. (brought this up since it is similar in a way to selling ecstasy tablets - no way of knowing whats in them or how much. A regulated distribution would prevent this.)
I wish we'd just start to regulate the current recreational drug market, allowing for small amounts to be legal for personal possession and consumption. Start with marijuana, as it is itching to become legal likely within in a decade all ready. No point fighting a battle already lost, waiting for bullet to finish it all when they could stop wasting billions of dollars and actually make some money by doing so.