Michigan Gov. John Engler and New York Gov. George Pataki, both Republicans, have discussed relaxing their states' Draconian mandatory minimum sentencing laws. Hawaii this year became the first state in which the legislature legalized the medical use of marijuana. Some states have moved to allow the sale of syringes and cultivation of hemp, and Vermont has established a methadone program to treat heroin users. So far, the impact of these drug-policy reforms is limited. The federal government continues to block access to marijuana by the sick and dying.
Forfeiture abuses remain rampant.
And issues such as hemp and needle distribution are peripheral. Even the success of Proposition 36, which requires that drug offenders fail two rehabilitation attempts before being imprisoned, remains problematic. It still prescribes prison as the ultimate sanction, and will be put into effect by its opponents, including Democratic Gov. Gray Davis, who suggests that money may not be available to fund the initiative. But further drug-law reform is inevitable, because the existing system isn't working. This country has imprisoned millions of people, wasted billions on enforcement, and sacrificed civil liberties.