The answer to the drug problem is to end the spectacularly failed costly Drug War.

They say the Drug War is over. Don't be fooled. As long as drugs remain criminalized the Drug War will never be over.

When is the U.S. government going to finally realize that it can't legislate morality? Many people believe the answer to solving our drug problem is to simply tell people to say "no" to drugs but after being in practice for decades now the evidence shows this has failed miserably. People have been doing drugs for thousands of years and it's never going to stop. There will always be people who do drugs and those who become addicted.

Didn't we learn from the mistakes of Alcohol Prohibition in the 1920s/30s? It didn't work then, and drug prohibition certainly isn't working now. The failed Drug War has cost the U.S. taxpayers over a trillion dollars and has been in force for over seven decades. And the real tragedy here is all of the violence that has been associated with the Drug War and illegal drug trafficking. Drugs are more readily available and the Drug War has created a black market, gangs in every U.S. state, and powerful violent cartels south of the border and in other countries.

The laws have done more damage to this country than the drugs themselves. We have created more criminals out of drug users/addicts who should really be treated as medical patients. Wouldn't we be better off spending the Drug War funding on education, drug treatment and rehabilitation instead of failed law enforcement and incarceration? And not having to build more prisons?

We need to reevaluate our position on drug use in this country. I firmly believe we should decriminalize all drugs. Legalize marijuana and regulate it like alcohol in regards to the law, and create an atmosphere that doesn't stigmatize the drug user. I would never advocate anyone use dangerous hard drugs like meth, cocaine, heroin, etc. But the fact of life remains people will choose to use such drugs and become addicted. Countries in Europe have tried different strategies that have reduced the problems associated with drug use. Why can't the U.S. take these same approaches? We should adopt programs for hard drugs (meth, coke, heroin,etc.) like the Swiss heroin program (where addicts can get their drugs from medically supervised clinics) which has shown positive results in reducing violent crime and HIV infections and helps drug addicts to become stable and productive members of society.

Locking people up and throwing away the key is not the answer. When someone has a real drug problem and is addicted their main focus will always be to obtain and use drugs, regardless of any law. And putting a mark on someone's permanent record that will follow them for the rest of their lives will only hinder them to become productive members in society in getting jobs, student financial aid, etc.

There are many people against legalizing and/or decriminalizing drugs and have expressed many fears and dooms day scenarios but evidence has revealed this would simply NOT be the result. Portugal decriminalized drugs in 2001 and none of the nightmare scenarios touted by preenactment decriminalization opponents have become a reality.

And what are the ramifications of manufacturing, importing, and selling the drugs right here in the U.S? Wouldn't that create a new industry? Jobs? Tax revenue? And stop funding the violent cartels and eventually take away their power?

These are questions that I think once answered, will solve our drug problems and the days of the Drug War will be history.

We want our government back, not this ticker tape war on every thing invade peoples privicies government.  Feds have gone to far. they are tampling on our state rights and they don't give a damn about individual liberties.  This needs to stop.

Give us back our government which created for the people for the people or we will take it back.

I'm sick of your drug war.  Marijuana needs to be regulated by the FDA and not the DEA now and people who qualify for their card should be able to intergrate back into society without fear of random piss tests and warrented DEA siezers. 

A message to you stupid idiots in that white house... The more you keep this intemidation up the more we will unite and the more you abuse us the more simpathy we get from people who normaly don't give a damn. 

So keep up the work because you guys are looking worse every sting you pull and every b.s. law you bend.

well to me drugs is a decease because iam clean for 41 years and i will help anyone who need my help because when i was in drugs nobody gave me a hands to help me i was lucky to be alive i met a viet-nam soldiers who told me about the danger of hard drugs and that was like a wake up call i always going to thanks those guys because they where right.!!!

eventhougt i don't do drugs for 41 years but marijuana is a medicine for those who need it specially HIV.

Don't back down, no matter who you are...the governor...the state employer...the citizens of this nation...the federal government is wrong in its stance and they are keeping us from a way of life that will drastically change the face of america...an america that will no longer require foreign oil...an america that no longer needs to clearcut forests for many of its paper products...an america that no longer needs to mine for coal for our energy needs...an america that heals the world as it lets go of 19th century technology and philosophy...without a doubt this plant is one of the most beneficial product of earth...it heals your body...it heals the environment as it grows (gives more oxygen to the world, takes in more carbon dioxide from the world, aerates and fertilizes the soil with each crop, and has no need for fertilizers or chemicals to help it grow, so less pollution from fertilizers as well)...it will heal our economy...it will heal our citizens' well being...it will heal our children and their children's future...it will lower our health costs on america in hospitals nationwide as less people use harmful prescription drugs with side effects that usually include death, including aspirin....it helps junkies and alcoholics and prescription drug abusers successfully quit...it will lower crime in that regard...we won't even need to rely on mexico for hard drugs as marijuana phases out all illicit drugs and most prescription drugs...and hopefully it will be an impact on alcoholic drinks and drunken accident statistics by lowering them...you can even eat its seed for most of your nutritional needs....you can help feed america with the plant...we can finally help our homeless and families in need with this one small step...imagine that...we can build homes, provide energy and electricity, and feed families in their new homes all through marijauna alone! You can even make PVC pipes out of it....paint...carpet...everything needed for a house....how can anyone not want to use it for the better of our country?????

DO NOT BACK DOWN....DO NOT COMPLY WITH YOUR FEDERAL GOVERNMENT ON THIS ISSUE...THEY ARE WRONG...EVEN AS THEY KNOW IT...