Ephedrine alkaloids are amphetamine-like compounds with potentially powerful stimulant effects on the nervous system and cadiovascular system. It is not equivalent to caffeine.
They don't make meth out of caffeine, they use ephedrine.

I stand against regulation on principle.

Many things occur in nature that are not suitable, nor well suited for human comsumption. Some are lethal.

I am not arguing with anyone, but stating that you can't really compare ephedra to caffeine.