[420 Girl]

It has been said that those who fail to learn the lessons of history are condemned to repeat past mistakes. This observation certainly applies to the futile and idiotic war on drugs, which failed years ago, but goes on endlessly due to political cowardice and inertia.

The current failed drug prohibition came on the heels of a previous failed alcohol prohibition. Both were launched from an arrogant, puritanical and moralistic attitude of punishing everyone using the banned substances instead of providing treatment for the small minority of users with addiction problems.

The results of each of these prohibitions were disastrous, for making such substances illegal doesn't end demand for them. Instead, it drives the business underground. For the sellers, the business becomes more profitable because it isn't as readily available if it were legal and it isn't taxed. By the same token, disputes between competitors are often resolved by violence, instead of lawsuits.

Alcohol prohibition lasted about 15 years, ending in 1933 during the Great Depression. Drug prohibition, which began a few years later, has lasted a lot longer, with the war on drugs officially on for about 40 years.

But once again, we are in the midst of economic disaster, with both the federal and state governments facing massive deficits. Enforcement of drug prohibition costs about $44 billion a year for federal, state and local governments. On the other hand, if drugs were legalized, taxed and regulated, like alcohol and tobacco, it has been estimated that they would generate about $33 billion a year in tax revenue. Prisons could be closed, while police and prosecutors could focus their energies on going after violent criminals. Can our governments afford to maintain such dysfunctional policies?

The biggest absurdities in the war on drugs can be seen regarding marijuana, the most popular and least harmful of the illegal drugs. Marijuana is the nation's fourth leading cash crop, and the leading cash crop in many states, including Michigan. In addition to recreational use, marijuana has medical benefits for people suffering from cancer, glaucoma, HIV/AIDS, hepatitis C, multiple sclerosis and other ailments. In addition, the hemp plant, which produces marijuana, has industrial uses for textiles, cellulose-based ethanol, biodegradable plastics and oil. How much sense does it make for growing this plant to be illegal?

Unfortunately, even in these economic hard times, we can't expect any leadership on this issue from the politicians. While many elected officials, including the last three presidents, have smoked marijuana and used other illegal drugs, most respond to the illegal drug issue with a mixture of cowardice, dishonesty and hypocrisy. Very few have been willing to stick their necks out and call for an end to the war on drugs.

So it is left to we the people to take the lead here, and the public is certainly ahead of the politicians on this issue. While very few elected officials in Michigan publicly supported the medical marijuana proposal on last November's ballot, it passed by a landslide, with a 63 percent "Yes" vote, carrying every county.

Some day, the war on drugs will come to a long overdue end. But don't expect any politicians to get out front on this issue. That would make too much sense.


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