CRACKDOWN ON POT PIPES SHOWS SKEWED PRIORITIES

Dear editor:
A recent massive, well-coordinated bust by law enforcement agencies across
the country resulted in shutting down dozens of businesses that
manufactured glass pipes, including one operated by well-known comedian
Tommy Chong.

The government contends that although the companies claim they sold these
products for tobacco use only, the pipes were clearly designed and intended
to be used for the illegal act of smoking marijuana.

According to Drug Enforcement Administration head John B. Brown III,
"People selling drug paraphernalia are in essence no different than drug
dealers."

The crackdown has led to numerous shops that sell "smoking accessories"
coast-to-coast either closing their doors or liquidating their merchandise.
It has even affected a number of stores here in Madison, mostly State
Street businesses.

During a time when most Americans are worried about things like war and
terrorism, the DEA and other agencies are choosing to use their time and
resources to indict small-time artisans and shopkeepers. John Ashcroft and
drug czar John P. Walters claim that closing these businesses will protect
our nation's children from accessing drug paraphernalia, ignoring the fact
that the stores made every effort not to sell to minors.

If the threat of terrorism is as serious and real as the evidence suggests,
should busting Tommy Chong be the federal government's top priority?

Andrew Bea, Madison