I believe J. Fred Hart Jr.'s recent assertion that marijuana users are directly responsible for the deaths of Mexicans is as ridiculous as if I said that everyone who voted for "W" is responsible for the body count in Iraq and Afghanistan. I believe the real reason for the murders of Mexicans by the drug cartels is this nation's drug policy.

Four decades ago President Richard Nixon declared a War on Drugs, and what are the results? Over one trillion of our tax dollars have been wasted on this never-ending "war," yet more Americans use drugs than ever before. Our jails and prisons are overflowing, and the Mexican drug cartels (and other criminal organizations) profit greatly and grow stronger with each passing year.

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