In his commentary, Gore Vidal critiques Ayatollah Bennett's stance against drug legalization, highlighting Bennett's belief that drug use is inherently wrong and that moral arguments against it hold significant weight. Vidal contrasts this view with the principles laid out by James Madison and George Mason, suggesting that such rigid moral perspectives risk undermining the liberties enshrined in the Bill of Rights.

Vidal argues that labeling drug use as immoral overlooks essential rights and freedoms granted to individuals. He implies that Bennett's moral framework, when applied to legislation, can lead to tyranny by disregarding the foundational democratic values that protect personal choice and autonomy.