Every Major News Outlet is Talking About Legalizing Drugs

To get a sense of the magnitude of the discussion that's happening right now, just try entering the phrase "Drug War FAIL" into Google. Pretty impressive, huh? This story from the Associated Press is showing up everywhere you look:

Major Panel: Drug War Failed; Legalize Marijuana

A high-level international panel slammed the war on drugs as a failure Thursday and called on governments to undertake experiments to decriminalize the use of drugs, especially marijuana, to undermine the power of organized crime.

Compiled by the Global Commission on Drug Policy, the report concludes that criminalization and repressive measures have failed with devastating consequences for individuals and societies around the world.

As you might imagine, the drug war's defenders were a little less than impressed:

The office of White House drug czar Gil Kerlikowske said the report was misguided.

"Drug addiction is a disease that can be successfully prevented and treated. Making drugs more available — as this report suggests — will make it harder to keep our communities healthy and safe," Office of National Drug Control Policy spokesman Rafael Lemaitre said.

So say the geniuses whose best idea for stopping you from rolling a joint is to cuff your hands behind your back. It's an awfully crappy day to be professionally responsible for pretending the drug war is awesome, and I can't help but wonder what effect the accumulation of moments like this exerts on the mindset of those who've made it their business to publicly defend generations of mindless death and destruction.

With very few exceptions, the drug war's remaining apologists should be privately relieved to witness the emerging consensus for reform. Soon perhaps, a day will come when you are no longer called upon to excuse the inexcusable. Soon perhaps, those of you who feel a genuine passion for making your communities safer will be able to pursue your ideals without bearing the burden of the drug war's constant betrayal. Soon perhaps, we can talk openly about what works and what doesn't without key stakeholders having a reason to fear and distrust one another.

Anyone who thinks it's possible to do a much better job dealing with drug use on this planet should be excited about the conversation that's happening today.