There's an excellent Provo Daily Herald editorial today on the harmful consequences of the "war on drugs." Sure, the piece doesn't hit the ground running ("The so-called war on drugs, while well-intentioned...") but it builds up into something well worth reading. Here's a sample:

Lately, marijuana has gained official recognition as a beneficial drug for certain cancer patients. It can reduce or eliminate the nausea associated with chemotherapy and restore their appetites.

Weighing the risks against the benefits of a renewable plant that can provide so many products and reduce America's oil dependence, it's difficult to see why the law discriminates against industrial hemp. You'd think we could prohibit only the most troublesome varieties and (sic) reap billions in economic benefits.

Whole article is here.