THE WAR ON DRUGS

I'm writing about the thoughtful letter from William Ambrose, "End
reefer madness" ( Jan. 14).

Marijuana is the foundation of our so-called war on drugs. Remove
marijuana from the equation, and the whole drug war will collapse.

The so-called war on drugs is a huge industry and huge bureaucracy.
Victory in the drug war is not possible, nor is it the goal. Victory
in the drug war would mean that the drug war industry and bureaucracy
are out of business.

There are basically two kinds of people who support the so-called war
on drugs:

Those who make their livelihood from it. This includes politicians and
bureaucrats who are probably on the payroll of the drug cartels. (Al
Capone had hundreds of politicians and prohibition officials on his
payroll.)

And fools. Fools who have bought into the lies and propaganda of the
drug-war industry and bureaucracy. Fools who are willing to deny
liberty and freedom to others but think that their own liberty and
freedom will never be in jeopardy. Fools who believe that
criminalizing a substance will make it go away. Fools who think that
drug prohibition somehow protects children. Fools who think that
giving criminals control of dangerous drugs somehow protects children
and our society. Fools who think that they live in a free country even
though the United States is the most incarcerated nation in the
history of human civilization.

Kirk Muse

Mesa, Ariz.