WAR ON DRUGS' IGNORES COMMON SENSE

Regarding the recent article on banning salvia divinorum in Wisconsin:

Unlike alcohol, which destroys lives; or addictive nicotine that
makes you a slave to the tobacco industry; or LSD, which lasts for 12
hours or more, here is an herb whose effects last a matter of
minutes. It doesn't produce a rush or euphoria. It's not addictive,
and it makes users feel anti-social, so it's hardly going to become a
fad among teenagers (unless, of course, you heighten its intrigue by
making it illegal).

So why are legislators considering banning this plant? Do we even
need reasons anymore to be reactionary and ban everything we don't understand?

Perhaps the idea of people shifting their perception, even for a
matter of minutes, is enough to frighten social conservatives. Too
similar to free thinking, maybe?

Or maybe it's because salvia is considered a spiritual sacrament in
some Native American religions. If Christians used this plant in
their rituals, we would not be having this discussion.

Or is it that it holds promise for psychotherapy, particularly in
treating mood disorders? Can't have Americans running around feeling
good about themselves, now can we?

But then the so-called "war on drugs" has never been about common
sense, sanity or responsibility. This is just another symptom of the
idiotic "culture wars" that are tearing apart our nation and
destroying more and more personal freedoms every single day.

- -- Ryan Grant Long, Madison