Musings About the Regulation of Potions

[cindysphynx]

No: HPFGUIDX 32065

Now that we've had an entire major plot twist rest on the use of a 
potion (polyjuice potion in GoF), I started wondering why it isn't 
regulated by MoM.  We're told that love potions are banned at 
Hogwarts, and that Veritaserum is strictly regulated by MoM.  
Polyjuice potion allows identity theft, and I can't think of any 
legitimate use for it except perhaps official uses such as spying and 
law enforcement.  Nevertheless, it appears that anyone is permitted 
to brew it up, even kids.

In fact, I'm kind of surprised that so many potions are treated 
rather casually.  There are several that do things that a person 
would be unlikely to use on themselves.  These include Confusing 
Concoction, Draught of the Living Death (powerful sleeping potion), 
Forgetfulness Potion, maybe HairRaising Potion.

If a potion is primarily useful for working some sort of unwelcome 
magic to the detriment of another person, shouldn't it be regulated 
and controlled?  After all, the Imperius Curse, which causes someone 
to do something they otherwise wouldn't do, is an Unforgiveable Curse 
punishable by a life sentence in Azkaban.  Yet using polyjuice potion 
and impersonating someone so that they appear to be doing things they 
otherwise wouldn't do is fine and dandy.  

I wonder what, if anything, this says about wizarding society.

Cindy