Customer Reviews

The Case for Legalizing Drugs

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Political debate of sensitive issues is too freqently polarized by passion, and too infreqently built upon the foundations of rigorous research, rational analysis and orderly presentation. Miller's book is therefore an invaluable tool for the proponents of legalization. It offers unassailable validity to arguments that are easily dismissed when couched in the shrill voice of uninformed activism. Miller's book is a masterpiece. The single flaw is that the notes are re-numbered for each chapter and the sources cited require two steps to find. But were the connections less exciting, this would go un-noticed.

Miller goes into meticulous detail, illustrating the harm caused by drugs and drug users, compared to the harm caused by the War on Drugs. He often makes statements that seem to wildly contrast with what most people think is true about drugs, and but for the painstaking use of footnotes after each of these statements which refers to a study, or a well-regarded book on the topic, this book would not nearly be so convincing.

This book is a must read for politicians and anyone who feels strongly about drugs and drug prohibition.

Written for the layman, Miller makes a convincing and unhysterical case for the end of the War on Drugs. Read this book and compare it to the uninformative propaganda of those who are for continuing the failed War on Drugs.

Fantastically written and masterfully researched, this book contains more hard data than any other resource I've seen. My own misguided impressions of America's drug problem have been set straight thanks to this resource. I would never fathom such scenarios and circumstances as those depicted in this book, accounts deftly brought into light with unparalleled skill and remarkable insight. Common sense runs fully through each point the author makes, and vivid analogies provide the reader a capability to understand the complex ideas within... without requiring a degree in sociology, psycology, pharmecology, or the like. All in all, this book demands the highest respect and forces the reader to explore new ideas with an open mind - something the nation's drug education force has failed to do in the last few decades.

I first read this book about twenty years ago. I expected at the time that the meticulous, irreproachable research of the author would be as convincing to everyone else, and that our national insanity would soon come to an end.

Some things have gotten better. An article in the Wall Street Journal the other day tells us that Scott's, the maker of Miracle-Gro, is "exploring targeting medical marijuana as well as other niches to help boost sales." Also that sixteen states have legalized medical marijuana.

But America is still on its own 10-yard line. There's still so very far to go, as I was reminded by an excellent column from Debra Saunders in today's paper (and what prompts this review). (You can find her article by searching for "At Least 4 Good Reasons to End the War on Drugs.")

THE CASE FOR LEGALIZING DRUGS was ahead of its time. Maybe the book's failing to be more influential was due to Mr Miller's choosing to convince us with calm logic instead of impassioned pleas. His approach was perfect for me, but maybe I'm not typical.

Years from now, hopefully in my lifetime, our drug laws finally repaired, Americans will marvel that citizens of the late 20th and early 21st centuries could have been so senseless for so long. Though ignored when it was first published, I believe Miller's book will have played a large part in making that change happen. I especially recommend it to those like me, on the conservative side of the political spectrum. You will finally become convinced of the calamity our drug laws are causing our country and its people.

I need to start asking my elected representatives about their position on this issue.

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Update: About a month later, I saw that my Congressman, Lamar Smith, was sponsoring a bill to limit legal marijuana. I wrote him asking that he reconsider. He replied:

Thank you for your letter regarding H.R. 2306, the "Ending Federal Marijuana Prohibition Act of 2011."

H.R. 2306 limits the application of federal law to the distribution and consumption of marijuana.

Drug use harms our economy, strains our prison system and destroys the lives of our children. Legalizing drugs like marijuana, even for medicinal purposes, would make these problems worse, not better.

Marijuana possession and distribution currently is prohibited under federal law because it has a high potential for abuse and does not have a proven legitimate medical use. The Food and Drug Administration has not approved smoked marijuana for any condition or disease.

If marijuana is decriminalized, I believe more people would use it and then become addicted to other drugs. It also would lead to greater profits for drug cartels who would continue to traffic marijuana in the underground market to fund their distribution of drugs like cocaine and heroin.

Allowing states to determine their own marijuana policy conflicts with Congress' authority to regulate interstate commerce and Supreme Court precedent. Instead of encouraging the use of marijuana, we should strengthen enforcement of federal drug laws to protect Americans from the devastating effects of drug use.

For more information on my work in Congress or to send me an electronic message, please visit the 21st District's website, [...].


In reply, I sent Rep Smith the following letter today (July 16, 2011):

Dear Hon Lamar Smith:

Thank you for your response to my concerns on HR 2306.

I used to believe exactly as you do. It can be uncomfortable to realize one's long-held beliefs have been wrong, but I ask you to consider that possibility.

Many books on the subject are available. The one that convinced me was THE CASE FOR LEGALIZING DRUGS, by Richard Miller, which I read almost twenty years ago. It's available from Amazon.com.

I believe our drug laws are wrong on almost all counts.
* They artificially increase the price of drugs, which makes them attractive to criminals and gives them wealth and power. (With few better examples than in Mexico.)
* They cause an increase of theft, burglary and assault simply due to the need to pay artificially high prices for drugs.
* They incarcerate our citizens for the "crime" of simply not having more common sense or self control.
* They remove the ability of a free citizen to do what he will with his own body as long as it does not harm another; it places the government into a free citizen's business.

I am 64 years old, that is, I'm not a recent college graduate looking to get high. I spent 36 years in the Army. I currently work a job requiring a Top Secret clearance, have never in my life used recreational drugs, and am a grandfather of six. I generally vote Republican, but usually only because the Democrat alternative is worse.

I agree with most of your policies, sir. I ask you to look at this again.

Sincerely,



Steve Kohn

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I'm hoping others more articulate and persuasive than me will pick up this baton and run with it. Legalizing drugs has dangers, I know. I'm not completely comfortable with the idea.

But I am certain the present situation -- our war on drugs -- is far worse than the problems legalization would bring.

The author has a serious bias for the legalization of drugs, the book is not an objective examination of the subject.