AMERICA'S FAILED WAR ON DRUGS

Re: Censoring The Truth In The War On Drugs, Jonathan Kay, April 2.

As an American, I can only wish that my country's political leaders were
capable of the sort of sober, factual assessment of the "War on Drugs" that
Mr. Kay offered in his column. But it is important to know that a growing
number of U.S. conservatives do question current policies, particularly in
regards to marijuana.

Conservative icons like William F. Buckley Jr. and economist Milton Friedman
have long questioned the wisdom of arresting and jailing responsible, adult
marijuana users, especially seriously ill patients who use the drug for
relief of pain or nausea. A number of other prominent conservatives, like
former New Mexico governor Gary Johnson, Republican U.S. Representative Ron
Paul of Texas and columnist Deroy Murdock, have expressed similar views.

These and many other principled conservatives recognize that prohibition has
caused great damage to civil liberties and states' autonomy while miserably
failing to curb marijuana use. Alas, their views remain unrepresented within
the Bush administration.

Bruce Mirken, director of communications, Marijuana Policy Project,
Washington, D.C.