A. Barton Hinkle on Prohibition: The Real Reefer Madness

Seeking to scare the public away from legalizing the stuff, the Obama administration notes that in 2009, marijuana was "involved in" 376,000 emergency-room visits nationwide. Be afraid, be very afraid: This represents less than 0.3 of 1 percent of all ER visits, and 3.3 million fewer visits than are caused annually by recreational sports. Figures such as those, writes A. Barton Hinkle, help explain why voters in Washington and Colorado were not frightened, and passed referenda decriminalizing pot.