BOOK EXAMINES TABOO ECONOMY -- POT, PORN, CHEAP LABOR

The economic news in America is not good. But that may be less a reflection
on the economy than the news.

Yes, there are segments of the U.S. economy that are booming. But the news
media are silent on these sectors, because taken together, they form a kind
of taboo economy -- that we know as the black market.

As journalist Eric Schlosser points in an illuminating and passionate new
book, the black market is growing -- comprising as much as 10 percent of
the entire economy. And what happens in that black market mocks our most
cherished ideals of democracy, justice and human rights.

"Reefer Madness: Sex, Drugs and Cheap Labor in the American Black Market"
shines light on three of the darkest corners of the underground economy:
Marijuana, pornography and undocumented labor. Schlosser's examination of
these three hot-button subjects outlines the difference between what
Americans say they value and what the hard data of economics say they do.

Schlosser, who will appear at Bookshop Santa Cruz on Friday, wrote one of
the most talked-about journalistic exposes of recent years, the critique of
the fast-food industry in "Fast Food Nation." His new book wades into some
subjects that inflame public opinion but also, he said, distract the public
from larger economic truths.

His contrast, for instance, between pot and porn focuses on who makes money
in each endeavor and how that drives current legal priorities.

"The interesting thing to me," he said in a phone interview, "is how a
commodity is treated when there are fringe Bohemians and people on the
margins of society involved in it, and how it's treated when major
corporations are involved."

One of Schlosser's more provocative contentions in the book is that large
media companies, particularly those in the cable and satellite industries,
profit enormously from pornography. Because of that involvement, he says,
the Justice Department is disinclined to launch a punitive campaign against
porn as it has against marijuana.

The prohibition against marijuana, says Schlosser, has ballooned the
population of the prison system, warped our sense of proportional justice
and has done little to reduce pot consumption.

"I am not coming at this as a major advocate for smoking marijuana," he
said. "I'm not waving the pot banner high. I'm trying to look at this from
a rational point of view, and it's clear to me the laws against the use of
marijuana have nothing to do with the pharmacalogical properties of the
drug and more to do with who's using it."

Schlosser maintains that there are two different questions when it comes to
pot. The first is whether you should smoke it or not. The second is whether
the current trend of long prison sentences without parole are wise and just.

"You can convince me that you shouldn't smoke pot. But you can't convince
me that our current laws are reasonable, rational or fair."

"Reefer Madness" takes dead aim at the hypocrisy surrounding the pot issue
by listing the number of children of prominent members of Congress who've
been busted for pot. "Their fathers are calling for very punitive measures
against drug dealers, unless it's their child. Then suddenly mercy and
compassion are called for."

In the section on undocumented labor, Schlosser falls just short of calling
the economic situations of millions of undocumented, non-English speaking
workers in agriculture and other industries slavery. But he does point to
the widespread practice of indentured servitude taking place in which
workers are held against their will to pay off smugglers.

"It's interesting to see how the poorest workers are being treated, because
it's an indication of how all workers are being treated."

The tone of "Reefer Madness" is measured but passionate. Schlosser clearly
owns up to a point of view in his book, but one based on factual findings
as an investigative reporter. Still, he says, despite the dire situations
outlined in his book, he remains an optimist.

"There are a lot of very logical, rational reasons to be extremely bummed
out at the moment. But in the longer term, look at the kinds of problems
we' re facing right now, and the social institutions that need to be
changed. Other people at other points in history have overcome even more
formidable institutions to make change.

"You look at decent wages for farm workers, getting people out of prison
who don't need to be in prison. Those are doable reforms. That's no great
revolution."

[SIDEBAR]

If You Go

WHO: Eric Schlosser, author of 'Reefer Madness: Sex, Drugs and Cheap Labor
on the American Black Market.'

WHEN: 7:30 p.m. Friday.

WHERE: Bookshop Santa Cruz, 1520 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz.

ADMISSION: Free.

DETAILS: 423-0900.