ANOTHER OPPORTUNITY

Neal Peirce is absolutely correct that the best way to deal with
opiate production is to buy all the Taliban can grow at or above
market prices and divert it to the legal market.

Peirce did miss a great opportunity, though. If Afghanistan was
allowed to legally grow cannabis and produce hashish, it would greatly
reduce their farmers need to grow poppies. They once produced some of
the finest hash on the planet, but because of the economic distortions
of prohibition, growing more addictive and dangerous drugs is more
profitable.

David Lane, Santa Cruz, Calif.