The Nation - News from May 1, 1988

Boaters who use or permit the use of even small “recreational” amounts of marijuana or other drugs face arrest by the Coast Guard and confiscation of their vessels. “It’s going to take Draconian measures like this to control the demand side” of the illegal drug market, Transportation Secretary James H. Burnley IV warned. “We want to make it painful and expensive for recreational users of drugs when we catch them.” Since April 13, when the policy took effect, nine vessels have been seized, including a $300,000 yacht. Those vessels could be auctioned off by the government.