Pubdate: Sat, 03 Apr 2004 Source: National Post (Canada) Copyright: 2004 Southam Inc. Contact: http://www.nationalpost.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/286 Author: Bruce Mirken 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. - --- MAP posted-by: Josh