PROHIBITING DRUGS DEFEATS THE PURPOSE

I wish to comment on the March 15 editorial "County already cooperates
on fighting drug war." What exactly is it we're fighting?

Marijuana is by far the most widely used illicit substance. When the
Marijuana Tax Act was passed in 1937, there were a reported 800
marijuana arrests nationwide. In 1970, there were about 200,000
marijuana arrests. In 2003, there were about 750,000 marijuana
arrests, and mostly for possession of small amounts. If marijuana
prohibition was meant to stop its use, it has been worse than a
miserable failure.

Opponents of ending prohibition say that if it were controlled and
regulated by law its use would skyrocket. Marijuana was not illegal in
Wisconsin until 1935. Why is it that when it was legal it was not very
popular?

Our congressional representatives need to find some backbone and
debate the merits of ending cannabis prohibition. It would save the
taxpayers a lot of money and restore a respect for the rule of law.

Randy Vizyak,

Mukwonago