John J. Dilulio Jr., a former director of President George W. Bush's White House Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives -- and coauthor of the book, "Body Count: Moral Poverty...And How to Win America's War Against Crime and Drugs," which he wrote along with ex-drug czars Bill Bennett and John Walters  -- has penned an article in which he highlights the relative safety of marijuana and questions the efficacy of its prohibition.

"Sixth, legalize marijuana for medically prescribed uses, and seriously consider decriminalizing it altogether. Last year there were more than 800,000 marijuana-related arrests. The impact of these arrests on crime rates was likely close to zero. There is almost no scientific evidence showing that pot is more harmful to its users’ health, more of a "gateway drug," or more crime-causing in its effects than alcohol or other legal narcotic or mind-altering substances..."