In a move that can only be called “sensible” Israeli officials recently announced they will stop prosecuting first time drug offenders caught with a ‘personal use’ quantity of any narcotic.

Under the scheme, users will escape prosecution the first time they’re busted with up to 0.3 grams of heroin or cocaine, 3 ecstasy pills, 2 grams of opium and 15 grams (half of ounce) of pot, though their names will be recorded.

“The General Inspector prefers to dry up the swamp instead of killing the mosquitoes one at a time,” an unnamed local police chief told Israeli newspaper Haaretz (explaining they’re not targeting just suppliers), “For most of those caught for the first-time, any contact with the police creates fear,” he added.

One can only hope this rational approach to drug enforcement finds its way to the United States.

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