Not so fast. As usual for guys like you, you don't know as much about the U.S. as you think you do.
The Federal government only makes and enforces FEDERAL laws, and those mostly apply to interstate commerce.
The laws that are applied to individuals, in their neighborhoods, are state and local laws. These vary incredibly widely from state to state, as do political attitudes, and the general demeanor of the people you'll meet if you walk around and talk to them.
HERE IS A VERY SIMPLE EXAMPLE.
Everyone has heard about the "war on drugs" correct? Well, the Federal Government strongly encourages states to make Marijuana illegal. It's listed on some schedule under which the Feds have declared it a terrible thing. If YOU were right, all states would have terrible laws against marijuana use and possession, and they would all be about the same.
BUT! In Arizona, you get caught smoking pot and you're going to jail for 1/2 to 1 1/2 years, and can be forced to pay a $750 - $150,000 fine.
In Texas, and this surprised me, if you have no prior convictions the judge can just let you go. If he doesn't, he MUST sentence you to probation and a treatment program. That is amazingly progressive for Texas, which I usually like to make fun of.
Here in New York, getting caught with a joint will get you nothing more than a $100 ticket ($200 for the second offense, if you keep doing it eventually they'll put you in the county jail for a couple of days for being a pain in the ass).
In Michigan, getting caught with pot will get you up to 90 days and a $100 fine. If you don't annoy the judge, it might be only a day or two, or probation. I've heard of people getting a $5 fine and a moderately stern lecture.
So, YOUR point is invalid in regards to freedom. Our freedom is primarily regulated by STATE LAWS (and local judges), not Federal ones.
Sort of like Europe! You'd rather be governed by France's laws than Turkey's, right?
Same thing.