Good article on Mary Jane. I used to provoke my students by telling them that there is no legal reason that marijuana use is against the law, but alcohol consumption is not. The key words (which some of them never seemed to hear) are no legal reason. It’s a historical fluke. But I find a definite moral reason not to use marijuana or any mind-altering substance. I always want people to contact my brother, in prison for his third felony (this one directly related to his recreational marijuana use) and ask him if the drug has no psychologically addictive properties. I think you are right, though, to question the “method” our government has for dealing with the problem—said method is pointless and neverending and impotent as far as any real change.
I don’t care if Andrea Yates is sane. Killing your children is heinous and she should die for it. Sorry, not very humanitarian, I know.