I am writing in regard to the editorial "Keep Bayanet." This piece was sorely lacking in many areas, in regard to the "War on Drugs."

First, the fact that state and local governments are spending millions of dollars to eradicate a plant that has hundreds of different functions to society is the real crime. Marijuana has proven itself to be effective in treating a wide variety of medical disorders without the toxic side-effects that come with legal prescription drugs. Yet it remains illegal because pharmaceutical companies are not able to patent it (and thereby, profit from it). Additionally, marijuana prohibition was propped up by the oil industry, as hemp oil could feasibly eliminate the need for all fossil fuel usage.

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