Itappears that our approach to the drug problem, or so-called "drugwar," is a failure and should be abandoned immediately. Instead offilling our prisons with nonviolent criminals who have transgressedthe law with marijuana, we should promptly decriminalize or legalizemarijuana! In so doing it is estimated that we will empty half of ourprisons!

Insteadof punishing people who have sold or used marijuana we shouldconsider them as sick people suffering from marijuana addiction. Byconsidering them ill they can be treated properly instead of beingsent to prison.

Formany people marijuana is a mild stimulant affording one the feelingof relaxation and pleasure and it does not necessarily lead tohard-core addiction as many people have insisted. Studies andanecdotal evidence suggest that it is helpful in the treatment ofglaucoma, the treatment of AIDS, and in minimizing the ill effects ofcancer chemotherapy. Many people believe that smoking a joint is theequivalent of a cocktail, no more or less!

Prohibitionwas passed to deny the people the use of alcohol, and it was adreadful failure. There was bootlegging, and the Mafia becameinvolved. By legalizing the sale of alcohol, standardizing its dosagein terms of "proof," and taxing the product, the illegal black marketwas brought to an end. Of course, there are always people who willabuse anything and they became a separate problem onto themselves.But by making alcohol available legitimately, the related crime waseliminated.

Manydistinguished personalities are in favor of legalizing marijuana andamong these are the former Secretary of State George Shultz and theformer Mayor of Baltimore Mr. Snoke. It was their feeling,, as wellas that of many others, that a standard dose of marijuana should beset, the product should be taxed, and, if necessary, it should bemade available only by a physician's prescription.

Oneorganization exists today called or Marijuana Policy Program and theypublish a report called "marijuana policy reform." It is available onthe internet at http://www.mpp.org.