American Notes DRUGS

So potent and dangerous is the herbicide paraquat that in 1983 a U.S. district court banned its use on federal property. But last week it seemed that paraquat might be re-enlisted for the war on drugs. Heralding yet another offensive against homegrown marijuana, the Drug Enforcement Administration said it would consider spraying pot fields with paraquat as well as the herbicides 2,4-D and glyphosate.

The feds call the new antipot campaign Operation Stop Crop 1988, but critics call it "borderline insanity." Says Doug McVay, project coordinator for the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws: "What they're talking about here is a rape of the environment that may end up poisoning some people." The DEA subsequently clarified its announcement, saying paraquat would be sprayed only on private land.