As a traveler, I've been able to see how different societies creatively grapple with all kinds of issues ' including marijuana use and abuse. This is an area where I think we can learn from Europeans, who have been coming at this from a "harm reduction" perspective rather than just "crime and punishment."

Based on the drug policy successes I've seen overseas, I am proud to be a co-sponsor of New Approach Washington ' an initiative to pragmatically legalize, tax, and regulate marijuana. This initiative is also sponsored by former US District Attorney John McKay, Seattle City Attorney Peter Holmes, and other respected legislators, professors, and civic leaders.

Nobody is advocating marijuana use in this discussion. Caring people are realizing that it simply makes more sense to regulate and tax marijuana rather than criminalize it. Care is being given to address the understandable and important concerns about pot getting into young people's hands and anyone driving while intoxicated by anything. I firmly believe (and statistics from other countries ahead of us on this matter affirm the belief) that drug use will not go up substantially, and a big bite will be taken out of organized crime while freeing law enforcement's time to focus on more dangerous criminals.

The initiative we are promoting is detailed and pragmatic, designed to win the approval of thoughtful people across the political spectrum. To learn more, visit the New Approach Washington website. If you have friends who are Washington State voters...pass the word along. We can use your help ' you can even become a volunteer signature-gatherer.

http://www.ricksteves.com/blog/index.cfm?fuseaction=entry&entryID=677