Marijuana-filled gumballs, apparently known as "greenades," drew the attention of the DEA after they became available at Ellicott City's Howard High school in Howard, County, Maryland, not far outside Washington, according to DC-area paper The Examiner.

“It’s a new idea and it’s new to the DEA,” said Gregory Lee, a retired supervisory special agent of the Drug Enforcement Agency, who had never heard of anyone packaging marijuana in such a way before. “When it comes to drug-dealing, you’re only limited by your imagination.”

I agree with that last statement -- but what does that say about either the efficacy of drug enforcement efforts or the impact of drug prohibition laws? Because the drugs are illegal, there is no possibility for regulation to control the form in which they are made available -- "hence Greenades" -- and because the drugs are illegal, there is no possibility for regulation to control where and when and by whom the drugs get sold -- hence high school students selling drugs in the schools to other kids. And the endless possibilities for innovation in packaging drugs mean there also must be endless possibilities for hiding drugs too. Or we could legalize the drugs and mostly end this craziness... The Examiner accepts letters at:

Main Office/Letters to the Editor 1015 15th St. NW Suite 500 Washington, DC 20005 (202) 903-2000 [email protected]