How is the united states a free country?

i was born in california, but i lived in tijuana, the i lived in michoacan (more south) and in michoacan when i wa 14 i could drive and police didnt say nothing, i could drink in public and smoke like a normal person outside in the street stores, in front of the police, i could do EVERYTHING i wanned, 100 thigs u cant do in the U.S . and i love michoacan u could even smoke weed in public in the town i live and VERY HOT GIRLS, i never smoked weed, just tobacco, and im 17 now, and i come to the U.S and im trapped like a bird. i cant get on a car or a motorcycle couse i need a licence, u cant do NOTHING here, how is this a free country i dont get it?