How is Raffi getting her drug supply on Earth?

[Yistaan]

We don't know much about life in the Federation in the time of Picard, but we do know a few basic facts. Poverty is supposedly eliminated (presumably Raffi's trailer home retconned this to mean that all Fed citizens are guaranteed a trailer home and a replicator for food and clothing) and the Federation does not use money. Other TNG episodes like 'The Game' strongly imply that addictive substances/tech are banned in the Federation as well, with the exception of alcohol (as it's allowed even though synthehol exists). We know that currency like latinum is used when dealing with non-Fed citizens like the Ferengi, and Fed citizens sometimes use it when dealing with other cultures (although it's never clear how they get the latinum to begin wtih if their own culture doesn't use money). Private starships are rare as even prominent Federation heroes like Riker and Picard are shown to not have private starships, being forced to hire (again not clear how Picard does this without money) La Sirena or outright hijack the USS Titan-A to travel away from Earth.

Raffi is shown taking drugs. How is she even getting them? She presumably doesn't use money as a Federation citizen. She has no starship of her own. Presumably Earth, as the capital of the Federation, does not allow drugs to be sold. Even if Raffi is a hardcore addict from taking illicit drugs offworld during her Starfleet days, by the time of her seclusion on Earth as seen in Picard she should have no realistic way of getting these drugs regularly no matter how badly she may want them.

Am I missing something?

 

[Turtletrekker]

She grows it. We see her prune one of her plants in the first season.

 

[fireproof78]

Am I missing something?

One, that replicators can't make drugs.

Two, that having drugs is illegal. Alcohol isn't, and DS9 refers to a salt addiction.

Three, holodeck addiction is a thing.

Four, most drugs can be grown. Opioids, marijuana, cocaine, mushrooms; that doesn't need replication. Cheech and Chong could run a full business out of Raffi's "impoverished" trailer.

 

[Takeru]

Presumably Earth, as the capital of the Federation, does not allow drugs to be sold.

Countries in the real world don't allow many drugs to be sold, that doesn't mean they're not getting sold.

And how is the a retcon?

Poverty is supposedly eliminated (presumably Raffi's trailer home retconned this to mean that all Fed citizens are guaranteed a trailer home and a replicator for food and clothing)

Raffi's home looked pretty sizable for a single person, if that plus a replicator is what someone gets for free I'd say poverty is in fact eliminated. The replicator alone makes someone not poor, do you realize how valuable unlimited access to water and all kinds of food is? Most people on earth today don't have that and Raffi doesn't just have access, he has free access.

 

[Brainsucker]

The more important question is, how Raffi couldn't get a better free house from the Government. Without money, people don't buy a house by themselves. Well, so with the ultra modern society like 25th Century Earth in Star Trek, the easiest explanation is the government housing project. The others are provided by the community independently.

For the government housing project, there is no need for explanation. It is what it is. But for the community, it is a bit more complex. Yes, a small community can build their own village, by exploiting the resources around; like stones, woods, etc. I doubt that a non government community can reach the "Industry level Replicators" owned by the government.

So if they are really exist, their home will be simple. Because the situation in 25 century is different to our Earth before 20th century. They won't simply cut the woods and break the stones from the nearest forest or mountain. Because it is supposed to be illegal. You can't cut timbers, digging mines, etc without the government consent. And because Federation supposed to be a Green Environment kind government, I'm sure that they forbid the Earthling to exploit the planet. Specially where they have already have replicator.

And there is another matter. A community built house is not necessary. Because the government can already provide everyone with a house.

So now we can go further about Raffi. Why wouldn't she get a free house from the Government and have to live like a Hermit with a trailer like that? This is strange isn't it, as even students like the Android (I forget her name) can get a nice small apartment with food replicator and little holographic technology from the government.

Well, then I can say that the no money society doesn't mean that you can get everything for free. If it's not currency, then it is merit. You still have to work to get those "free" things. And because Raffi is some kind of rebellious character, maybe she touch the nerve of some higher up in Star Fleet, and lost her "right" to get those free things from the Government.

Well yes, she got a nice little trailer. But let be honest, does a trailer house supposed to be a standard of Prosperity for 25th century Earth? So if Raffy can only get a free trailer in the middle of nowhere; why the Android can has a nice apartment with replicator in the city? And why Picard can live inside a big nice mansion like a palace for free, like a king?

So maybe we have to admit, that Federation apply Chinese social credit policy on 25th century Earth. For the famous admiral Jeanluc Picard, you can preserve your family house like a king. Not only that, you can even get those free drones and helpers that make your farm like Renaissance era European nobles. For a university student like the Android you can get a small apartment with nice food replicator. But for a rebellious officer like Raffi,she has to provide everything by herself. Well, Earth is vast, they still allowed Raffi to live on Earth for free. But they bar her from any government programme like free house, replicators, etc.

 

[Nerys Myk]

Private starships are rare as even prominent Federation heroes like Riker and Picard are shown to not have private starships, being forced to hire (again not clear how Picard does this without money) La Sirena or outright hijack the USS Titan-A to travel away from Earth.

I think we've seen a few private starships in Star Trek. Riker and Picard not owning one just means they didn't.

 

[Nerys Myk]

The more important question is, how Raffi couldn't get a better free house from the Government. Without money, people don't buy a house by themselves. Well, so with the ultra modern society like 25th Century Earth in Star Trek, the easiest explanation is the government housing project. The others are provided by the community independently.

For the government housing project, there is no need for explanation. It is what it is. But for the community, it is a bit more complex. Yes, a small community can build their own village, by exploiting the resources around; like stones, woods, etc. I doubt that a non government community can reach the "Industry level Replicators" owned by the government.

So if they are really exist, their home will be simple. Because the situation in 25 century is different to our Earth before 20th century. They won't simply cut the woods and break the stones from the nearest forest or mountain. Because it is supposed to be illegal. You can't cut timbers, digging mines, etc without the government consent. And because Federation supposed to be a Green Environment kind government, I'm sure that they forbid the Earthling to exploit the planet. Specially where they have already have replicator.

And there is another matter. A community built house is not necessary. Because the government can already provide everyone with a house.

So now we can go further about Raffi. Why wouldn't she get a free house from the Government and have to live like a Hermit with a trailer like that? This is strange isn't it, as even students like the Android (I forget her name) can get a nice small apartment with food replicator and little holographic technology from the government.

Well, then I can say that the no money society doesn't mean that you can get everything for free. If it's not currency, then it is merit. You still have to work to get those "free" things. And because Raffi is some kind of rebellious character, maybe she touch the nerve of some higher up in Star Fleet, so she lost her right to get those "free" nice things. And must live like an excommunicated hermit in nobody land like that.

She got the house she wanted in the location she want. What's the problem?

 

[BillJ]

McCoy is able to get Romulan Ale. If it comes from off planet, Raffi likely just has connections that can get it to her.

 

[Brainsucker]

She got the house she wanted in the location she want. What's the problem?

Is it? So why she's not happy then? If she's happy, she'll live like Riker and Troy, or Pike. They live in a simple, healthy, and happy life. But nope. she live like a hermit, an outcast. She's taking drug, and she's angry.

 

[The Old Mixer]

She got the house she wanted in the location she want. What's the problem?

She's got Vasquez Rocks all to herself...location, location, location.

 

[Nerys Myk]

Is it? So why she's not happy then? If she's happy, she'll live like Riker and Troy, or Pike. They live in a simple, healthy, and happy life. But nope. she live like a hermit, an outcast. She's taking drug, and she's angry.

Because happiness isn't a house. She's living with her past and her problems. Having a mansion or fancy cabin won't change that. Pike was hiding from his future. Riker and Troy were living with the ghost of their son. Even Picard with his vineyard and family estate was hiding. None of them were happy or healthy.

 

[The Wormhole]

I remember when concept designs for the interior of Raffi's trailer got posted online. It was nice. The kind of nice that if anyone today were living in a home that looked like that on the inside, we'd be living like royalty.

I suspect Raffi's resentment over her home is more just resentment over her life in general, her career destroyed, her family left her. Also, her home did lack Romulan housekeepers...

 

[Brainsucker]

McCoy is able to get Romulan Ale. If it comes from off planet, Raffi likely just has connections that can get it to her.

But looking at how she live, can she buy them? The only explanation is that she grow them herself. Well, Marijuana, narcotic, etc grew on our planet. Raffi can cultivate them without any problem, if she willing to.

 

[Nerys Myk]

But looking at how she live, can she buy them? The only explanation is that she grow them herself. Well, Marijuana, narcotic, etc grew on our planet. Raffi can cultivate them without any problem, if she willing to.

Mentioned in @Takeru 's post.

She has connections. Hell, Rios is a connection.

 

[Takeru]

But looking at how she live, can she buy them?

How she lives? In the nice free house with a great view? Yes, she can buy them because she clearly has them. We also see her having connections, she gets off earth in a day after she agrees to it. She knows people, has knowledge etc., she's not some poor hermit cut off from society, a flying taxi drops Picard of right in front of her home, she clearly can leave the same way any time she wants to and drugs can be delivered to her house.

 

[Brainsucker]

Because happiness isn't a house. She's living with her past and her problems. Having a mansion or fancy cabin won't change that. Pike was hiding from his future. Riker and Troy were living with the ghost of their son. Even Picard with his vineyard and family estate was hiding. None of them were happy or healthy.

Happiness is different to prosperity. A beggar can still be happy, a homeless can also be happy. Even drug addicts who lost everything still can be happy. At the same time, Rich people like Bill Gates can be sad and unhappy. But still, Bill Gates still more prosper than a beggar.

A government like Earth Federation (the government of Earth under UTF) provide everyone with their need, to some level of prosperity. Riker, Pike and Picard may unhappy with their life. But they prosper. At least live in a descent standard of prosperity. Pike own a cozy cabin, but he also own a horse. I doubt that many people in our world can own a horse today. They're expensive. While Riker live in a nice house at the frontier. He lives in a healthy and happy life with Troy as a family. Picard may unhappy. But he got a mansion and many helpers that make him like a noble.

And for Raffi, do you think she's okay with her life? Is she happy with her everything? Does she live in 25th century Earth standard of living? Does she prosper enough by the look of her lifestlye? It is different from what we see about her in the 2nd season; where she's already become herself again and full confident.

 

[Brainsucker]

How she lives? In the nice free house with a great view? Yes, she can buy them because she clearly has them. We also see her having connections, she gets off earth in a day after she agrees to it. She knows people, has knowledge etc., she's not some poor hermit cut off from society, a flying taxi drops Picard of right in front of her home, she clearly can leave the same way any time she wants to and drugs can be delivered to her house.

Having a connections =/= you can buy everything that you want, as you have to have money to buy them first. But that's also not answer that she get "free" accommodation from the government, just like everybody else, or not.

Ok, she has connection with the underworld, or crime world. Maybe she becomes a Criminal in the sense of Earth Federation's law with Rios (maybe as a smuggler), so she can live without the help from the government. Well, yes. like 21st century persons like us, who live in a full capitalism type world. She can also do that. That's why she doesn't has replicator at her trailer.

But it also suggest that Raffi really doesn't get anything from the government. Not a house, not basic need via replicators, etc. She has to live in a capitalism way of life. Work to earn money in underworld society. And by the look at her angry at episode 1, she clearly dissatisfied with her life.

 

[Nerys Myk]

Happiness is different to prosperity. A beggar can still be happy, a homeless can also be happy. Even drug addicts who lost everything still can be happy. At the same time, Rich people like Bill Gates can be sad and unhappy. But still, Bill Gates still more prosper than a beggar.

Yeah, that's what I just said. You're not offering a counter-argument you're agreeing with me.

A government like Earth Federation (the government of Earth under UTF) provide everyone with their need, to some level of prosperity. Riker, Pike and Picard may unhappy with their life. But they prosper. At least live in a descent standard of prosperity. Pike own a cozy cabin, but he also own a horse. I doubt that many people in our world can own a horse today. They're expensive. While Riker live in a nice house at the frontier. He lives in a healthy and happy life with Troy as a family. Picard may unhappy. But he got a mansion and many helpers that make him like a noble.

As I said, Pike, the Rikers and Picard are not happy. They are masking their pain, just like Raffi is. Raffi lives decently too. Nothing about her house screams "poverty". She has made a choice, it wasn't thrust upon her.

And for Raffi, do you think she's okay with her life? Is she happy with her everything? Does she live in 25th century Earth standard of living? Does she prosper enough by the look of her lifestlye? It is different from what we see about her in the 2nd season; where she's already become herself again and full confident.

Of course she's not happy. Where did you get the idea that I thought she was happy?

Still, she is living pretty well. It's a nice place to live with free power and a replicator. She has all she needs. She's not begging on the street, half starving. She doesn't have to draw water from a well. She's not freezing in the winter and boiling in the summer. She's not shitting in an outhouse. Her life is as comfortable as the Rikers.

"Prosperity" often has a financial implication. And as we know there is no money in the Federation, I assume its being used here in another context.

 

[fireproof78]

Well yes, she got a nice little trailer. But let be honest, does a trailer house supposed to be a standard of Prosperity for 25th century Earth? So if Raffy can only get a free trailer in the middle of nowhere; why the Android can has a nice apartment with replicator in the city? And why Picard can live inside a big nice mansion like a palace for free, like a king

Because different people value different things? Why should it be one size fits all?

But it also suggest that Raffi really doesn't get anything from the government. Not a house, not basic need via replicators, etc. She has to live in a capitalism way of life. Work to earn money in underworld society. And by the look at her angry at episode 1, she clearly dissatisfied with her life.

She's not supposed to be satisfied. That's in.the text of the story itself, that this is her rebellion against a system she felt betrayed her. The antithesis to Picard's life on purpose.

Could she have more? Probably but she's not asking nor trusting.

That doesn't mean she's impoverished.

 

[XCV330]

The more important question is, how Raffi couldn't get a better free house from the Government. Without money, people don't buy a house by themselves. Well, so with the ultra modern society like 25th Century Earth in Star Trek, the easiest explanation is the government housing project. The others are provided by the community independently.

For the government housing project, there is no need for explanation. It is what it is. But for the community, it is a bit more complex. Yes, a small community can build their own village, by exploiting the resources around; like stones, woods, etc. I doubt that a non government community can reach the "Industry level Replicators" owned by the government.

So if they are really exist, their home will be simple. Because the situation in 25 century is different to our Earth before 20th century. They won't simply cut the woods and break the stones from the nearest forest or mountain. Because it is supposed to be illegal. You can't cut timbers, digging mines, etc without the government consent. And because Federation supposed to be a Green Environment kind government, I'm sure that they forbid the Earthling to exploit the planet. Specially where they have already have replicator.

And there is another matter. A community built house is not necessary. Because the government can already provide everyone with a house.

So now we can go further about Raffi. Why wouldn't she get a free house from the Government and have to live like a Hermit with a trailer like that? This is strange isn't it, as even students like the Android (I forget her name) can get a nice small apartment with food replicator and little holographic technology from the government.

Well, then I can say that the no money society doesn't mean that you can get everything for free. If it's not currency, then it is merit. You still have to work to get those "free" things. And because Raffi is some kind of rebellious character, maybe she touch the nerve of some higher up in Star Fleet, and lost her "right" to get those free things from the Government.

Well yes, she got a nice little trailer. But let be honest, does a trailer house supposed to be a standard of Prosperity for 25th century Earth? So if Raffy can only get a free trailer in the middle of nowhere; why the Android can has a nice apartment with replicator in the city? And why Picard can live inside a big nice mansion like a palace for free, like a king?

So maybe we have to admit, that Federation apply Chinese social credit policy on 25th century Earth. For the famous admiral Jeanluc Picard, you can preserve your family house like a king. Not only that, you can even get those free drones and helpers that make your farm like Renaissance era European nobles. For a university student like the Android you can get a small apartment with nice food replicator. But for a rebellious officer like Raffi,she has to provide everything by herself. Well, Earth is vast, they still allowed Raffi to live on Earth for free. But they bar her from any government programme like free house, replicators, etc.

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