Apparently South Carolina is so flush with cash during this economic crisis that it can afford to expend precious resources building a case against gold medal-winner Michael Phelps for allegedly smoking pot ("Lawyer: S.C. police targeting Phelps," Feb. 13).

But wasting time and money prosecuting someone for a harmless activity epitomizes the failed war on drugs; indeed, it suggests a good argument for legalizing marijuana.

Keeping pot illegal drains our resources while keeping the narcotics business buzzing and the Mexican murder rate high.

John G Bailey

Edgemere

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