THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX, DECRIMINALIZE MARIJUANA

A government report suggests that the market value of marijuana grown
in the United States now tops $35 billion, making it this nation's
largest cash crop, even more valuable than staples such as corn or soybeans.

It would seem to us that after years of trying to eradicate,
interdict and stomp out marijuana - and spending lives and countless
billions of dollars in the process - that it may be time to consider
another approach. After all, the marijuana market is demand-driven
and demand does not appear to be fading. Besides, $35 billion in
product is a lot of value to leave unregulated and untaxed.

Activists are pushing for marijuana to be scratched from the list of
serious Schedule 1 drugs, such as heroin, and be legalized, policed
and taxed like tobacco and alcohol, the Los Angeles Times reports.

It is difficult to side with those who want to legalize marijuana.
Goodness knows, we already have enough mind-altering garbage for sale
legally in the United States, but the reality is that Prohibition did
not work and the effort to stamp out marijuana is not working either.
Despite all the government's efforts, it is available to just about
anyone, in any part of the nation.

We can continue to prosecute the War on Drugs, continue the
business-as-usual, futile cat-and-mouse game despite its obvious
failings, or we can search for a new way that could lead to
destruction of the marijuana cartels and the crime they breed. At the
same time we could be fattening the treasury and ensuring the safety of users.

It is well beyond time to think outside the box.