First, we have vastly increased the proportion of our population in prisons.

Second, we have empowered criminals at home and terrorists abroad.

Third, we have squandered resources.

We spend seven times as much on drug interdiction, policing and imprisonment as on treatment.

President Obama’s new drug czar, Gil Kerlikowske

wants to banish the war on drugs phraseology, while shifting more toward treatment over imprisonment.

“I don’t see any big downside to marijuana decriminalization,” said Peter Reuter

At most, he said, there would be only a modest increase in usage.

One approach would be for a state or two to experiment with legalization of marijuana, allowing it to be sold by licensed pharmacists, while measuring the impact on usage and crime.