those wacky conservatives

So. What is the cover story for the upcoming issue of National Review? Next week's handover of sovereignty in Iraq? Nuclear weapons in Iran?

Eh: not exactly.

National Review—to the continuing surprise of many—has long advocated legalization of recreational drugs. And—to the likely astonishment of my friends and relations—I agree with them, at least for marijuana. Short form: prohibition doesn't work, needlessly expands the ranks of the criminal class, and places undue stress on the legal system.

Plus, hemp has many other uses.

Yet my libertarian streak only goes so far: I do have difficulty with legalization of other drugs, although there is little doubt that the crusade against cocaine has been a disaster both for US foreign policy and for Latin America as a region (more here). These are serious concerns indeed. But given the real war unfolding on the world stage, revisiting the “war on drugs” at this juncture seems a trifle odd.