MARIJUANA LEGALIZATION THE ONLY PATH THAT MAKES SENSE

As I listened to the president's Feb. 12 speech on the War on Drugs, I was
astonished at his unbelievable lack of understanding of the problem and any
realistic solution. It would seem with his own history of drug use - he
openly admits to a past drinking problem - and with that of his daughters
and niece, Mr. Bush might actually understand. He, in one sentence,
proposes spending $19 billion on the failed war on drugs, including over $9
billion for interdiction, then a scant minute later states: "As long as
there is a demand for drugs in this country, some crook is gonna figure out
how to get 'em here." (President George W. Bush on Feb. 12). This is the
crux of the issue: the war on drugs is an unwinnable war. There are drugs
in prison, after all ... so, even if we made our society like a prison,
where none of us wants to live, there will still be drugs. So, what do we
do about it?

The Libertarian Party and I believe that the best option - no, the only
option - is to legalize drug use and production to end this incredible
affront to freedom that is that war on drugs. President Bush says he
believes that buying drugs supports terrorism. The most commonly bought
illicit drug in the U.S. is marijuana. A person in Asheville buying
marijuana is not supporting terrorists in Afghanistan . they are supporting
a farmer in Madison County. Some horrifying figures: The average U.S.
prison sentence for a murder charge: 6.3 years. The average U.S. prison
sentence for a marijuana charge: 10 years. Change in Americans imprisoned
for non-violent drug offenses since 1980: 800-plus percent.

Why legalization? What will happen when drugs are made legal? First and
foremost, the war on drugs is an abject failure. We must try something else.

As for what happens after legalization, consider these figures: Percentage
of U.S. tenth graders who have tried marijuana: 41 percent. Percentage of
Netherlands tenth graders who have tried marijuana: 28 percent. Marijuana
has been decriminalized in The Netherlands for over 30 years. The per
capita consumption of marijuana in The Netherlands is less than half of
that in the U.S., even in the face of the War on Drugs.

President Bush has stated his goals are to reduce drug use in America by 10
percent over two years and 25 percent over five years. This is a pipe dream
(pardon the pun) that will never happen. Humans have used mind-altering
substances as long as we have been humans, and will as long as we are. The
best option for society is to work to make drug use safer and not to
destroy lives in a foolish attempt to end the un-endable.

Look at the financial impact of the war on drugs. In addition to the nearly
$20 billion wasted on the war on drugs, look at the financial losses to our
people and states from the prohibition of marijuana.

Rank of marijuana among all U.S. cash crops: first. Estimated value of U.S.
marijuana crop: $32 billion. Number of Americans who should be imprisoned
under current laws: 100 million. Estimated losses to U.S. gross domestic
product if those 100 million were arrested: $14 trillions.

Does this make sense? I think not. Legalization now!

Dave Goree

Dave Goree, owner of Things That Make Us Go!, is a racing engineer and
custom vehicle builder. He ran as a Libertarian for Mayor of Asheville in
2001, and will likely do so again in 2005.