Tracerb, first I'd like to thank you for your post, I couldn't have said it better myself.

Second, I'd like to encourage EVERY ONE OF YOU to write letters to your Congressmen and representatives, and let them know what YOU think.

Nothing will ever change if our voices are not heard, and lets face it, no one of great law making importance reads this message board....although I wouldn't doubt that a few senators do exactly the same things we do.

Basically, when it comes right down to it, we need more social activism these days. I know me personally, if I had to make a decision, and I had already made it, a handful of people probably wouldn't pursuade me any different, however, say 10,000 people telling me to change my mind sure would make a difference (but then again, thats me, and not congressmen).

The "War on Drugs" has failed, and has since its beginning. Look at the number of people using illicit drugs these days compared to twenty years ago, hell, compare 2003 with 1999, and there's a HUGE increase in the number of people who user certain "street drugs". So what has the "War on Drugs" accomplished?

If you ask me, the only thing its accomplished is a war on ourselves and personal freedom and liberties.

Let me ask you this.....if I grew 5 marijuana plants in my backyard for my own personal use, who would it be hurting? Absolutely no one, including myself. Marijuana has never been fully 100% proven to kill anyone, and there is only ONE case of a marijuana death, and its still undetermined if that person was on other "street drugs" at the time (which I imagine for him to die, he had to have been).

So again, the "War on Drugs" hasn't done anything but prosecute innocent people and put them behind bars.

If we released everyone who was in jail for marijuana related offenses, we'd probably be freeing up our jails by about 40-70%, as marijuana possession and distribution is one of the leading charges that lead people to prison. Not murder. Not rape. Not assault. But marijuana? I'm sorry, but what the hell is wrong with our country?

I mean, I work a full time job running an Internet Service Provider in a small town. I am involved heavily in a number of non-profit organizations. I pay taxes. I even, for the most part, uphold the stupidest of traffic laws (speeding, etc.). I would definately consider myself a valuable member of society, and by no means would I ever cause anyone harm. Lets just say I got pulled over in my car. I'm young, have a fast car, so the cops instantly suspect that I'm a drug dealer and up to no good. So he's going to want to search my car, without a warrant mind you, and he may or may not find about a quarter ounce of marijuana either on me, or in my car. I'll get arrested, put in jail, fined, and probably get court supervision since I'm young and have a good record. However, it will have costed me thousands of dollars in bail, lawyer, etc. and it will also have cost them thousands of dollars for the police, jail time, prosecuter, judge, etc. etc.

So in the end what did the war on drugs in that case accomplish? Well it accomplished me getting a felony, which I have to report to any potential employers, it voids me from ever receiving Financial Aid for college, and it costed me and the government thousands of dollars....

So, whats your stance on the War on Drugs?

I say, Just Say NO to the War on Drugs!

Peace,
Jesse