A little country with a king sized drug war failure

If it wasn't so pathetic, this would be almost funny. Swaziland, a tiny African country the size of New Jersey has a jumbo size marijuana industry. Cannabis, or as the locals call it - dagga - forms an important part of the economy, providing a source of income for an estimated 70% of the impoverished indigenous farmers. "A handful of drug lords buy and sell Swaziland's marijuana -- the world's most popular illegal drug -- but most of the growing is done by subsistence farmers desperate for cash after four years of drought and hefty job cuts."

The Swazi government has been imitating US style war on some drugs policies and sends out patrols armed with guns and gallons of herbicide."It is everywhere. At every stream or river the banks are full of dagga," said [anti-drug warrior] Hoare, decked out in waterproof overalls with a spray gun in his hand. And it's apparently really good herb.

Swazi marijuana, which is said to be more potent due to the soil and weather conditions, fetches a handsome premium. On the streets of Johannesburg, 'Swazi Gold' is sold in 30 gram (1 once) bank bags, or 'bankies', for 70 rand ($11) apiece, while Amsterdam coffee shops -- where smoking marijuana is legal -- charge around 6 euros ($7.5) for one gram.

Once again, as with coca and poppies, you'll note that the farmers are not the ones in the supply chain making the money on the plant. And like the coca plant for indigenous Colombians, dagga has a long history of traditional medicinal and spiritual use among the Swazi people. In any event, it's unlikely the farmers will switch to other crops when dagga provides the best return for their efforts.

"We can't win this war," said Ngwane Dlamini, head of criminal investigation in the northern region of Hhohho. And neither will the US win theirs. It simply can't be done.