Federal Marijuana Ban Turned 70

I hadn't realized the ban was in place for that long, but as I was getting caught up on my reading I noticed, Federal Marijuana Ban Turns 70 on Aug. 2. I'd have to agree with the belief that this has been a total failure as Marijuana has continued to be a part of American culture and despite 70 years of a ban? It appears it's not any more difficult to obtain than it ever was:

Federal government estimates indicate that marijuana use has increased approximately 4,000 percent since the Marijuana Tax Act took effect. A study by researcher Jon Gettman, Ph.D., published in December 2006 and based on government data, found marijuana to be the country's number-one cash crop, exceeding the value of corn and wheat combined. The federally funded Monitoring the Future survey reports that approximately 85 percent of high school seniors describe marijuana as "easy to get" -- a figure that has remained virtually unchanged since the survey began in 1975. In 2005 (the most recent figures available), U.S. law enforcement made an all-time record 786,545 marijuana arrests -- 89 percent for possession, not sale or trafficking.

Given the way the Government has made such a large amount of money in taxing those who smoke tobacco and those who drink alcohol, it's surprising after 70 years that they still consider this particular herb to be any different.