I was in one of my employer's remote offices today, overhearing two people talking about marijuana use -- a 21 year old relative had succumbed to the scourge, such a shame, etc. I asked; "What took him so long? My first experience with pot was at age 13."

Naturally, they gave me look of horror.

I haven't touched the stuff since 2003, rarely used it anyway, yet the attitudes in America about marijuana disturb me.

Court TV's COPS tonight featured a bust of an Hispanic male for mere small quantity possession. I felt so sorry for the guy -- unlike most perps on COPS, he's not violent like a drunk.

Then I read this: Alcohol as a Drug: A Moral Revolution:

In particular, those who discuss drug policy (outside Islamic societies) have no obligation to pretend they themselves are - nor any right to assume that their audiences are - abstinent from alcohol.

And The War on Drugs Is Really a War on Minorities:

Consider this: According to a 2006 report by the American Civil Liberties Union, African Americans make up an estimated 15% of drug users, but they account for 37% of those arrested on drug charges, 59% of those convicted and 74% of all drug offenders sentenced to prison. Or consider this: The U.S. has 260,000 people in state prisons on nonviolent drug charges; 183,200 (more than 70%) of them are black or Latino.

Stop. Please. Stop.