I think the show is gonna ultimately establish magic as a bad thing regardless of how it is used – It always comes with a price! Right !!
It’s used as a crutch for cowardice. Example: It’s Rumples crutch when he doesn’t use his real one- Think of the scene with Hook and Rumple, I don’t remember the exact words but it went something like this-Hook “What kind of magic trick is going to save you now ?” Rumple pick up his cane/crutch and swings it right in Hooks face-