To reiterate many of the replies above, here is what I'd answer with:
Xanax is legal, methamphetamine is illegal. Therefore xanax comes in two routes - legally (through a script) SLASH (/) via pill format produced in an FDA approved laboratory and fixed to various 'standards' and sold by 'drug dealers' or sought out via any means other than prescription (aka, illegally)
Methamphetamine can only be 'had' through illegal methods, as it is not FDA approved, made in (Government-- you get the point) funded Research labs... etc) and handed out as prescription. At least, not in the sense that prescriptions of meth in the format of that which is sold on the street or via your drug source/connect. AKA : you can only get it through a drug deal, illegally - from a lab where some person cooked it up in bulk = meth labs.
Thus, why start making Xanax in copious 'Xannie labs' (or what have you) when Doctors prescribe the stuff like candy. If one simply cannot obtain a script/doesn't want to schmooze their way into getting one for moral reasons (but somehow can do the following... ) they can simply call up one of their 5 or so sources or connects, and have 10 xannie bars in a matter of a handful of hours. The fact that it's so readily available makes the option of a 'Xannie lab' well not worth the time/effort/exhaustion/dedication/stress/(possible) guilt due to lying to loved ones, etc... In contrast, methamphetamine is not socially accepted and can not be prescribed to you. Thus, labs are essential to get the product out. The demand is high for meth, while low for the other. Yes, people love their Xannies - but that's fine, because they're just a phone-call or a medicine cabinet away.
Also, as noted by a BL'er above: meth labs are very lucrative. If a person is intelligent enough to organize a large scale drug operation/production effort, a small(ish) investment in supplies can/will yield large profit. (*note, this is not condoned. It can be dangerous in many ways - and is illegal) A Xanax lab would cost more to set up than would be worth. The population would much rather buy Xanax manufactured in a pharmaceutical research lab than in some dude's basement (or where have you... a trailer... )
**NOW, I do know that methamphetine does come in prescription form, Desoxyn. I was actually prescribed this several months ago for 'adhd'.' However, this does not seem to equate with the 'Meth' found on the streetsThis is too long. I'm done for now.
