There is a drug crisis in the U.S. No, it's not marijuana, cocaine, or LSD. It's a drug that's been around for a while...right under our noses. But we have totally ignored it.

Among cats, catnip is the drug of choice. Cats all across America are sniffing it up. And what are we doing about it? Nothing. In fact, catnip is legally sold in stores. Information from the website PetEducation tells us that Catnip (Nepeta catoria) is a plant in the Mint family that grows wild as a weed, and is found particularly in the MidWest. It explains that cats under the influence of catnip will salivate, roll and rub, and run and leap in the air.

The consequences of catnip are clear. American cats have been found to sleep an average of 21 hours per day. This high need for sleep may be partly attributed to the heavy use of catnip. If we estimate that there are 100 million cats in the U.S., and 1 cat hour is worth $2.00, its easy to see that this is a major economic drain on the U.S. The catnip crisis is also evident in the high number of teenage cat pregnancies, homeless cats, and violence among cats.

It's time to make catnip illegal, and set strong penalties for catnip use as well as catnip distribution. I also recommend that all cats be thoroughly drug tested. When cats arrive in a shelter, there should be a mandatory drug test. Also, we should have random urine tests. To attack the distribution problem, we can consider spraying agriculture in the MidWest, where catnip growth is concentrated. I have also recommended to the DEA that they may wish to setup special enforcement teams.

What can you do? First, give your cat a thorough drug test. Next, talk to your neighbor. Call your senator. It's time to declare war on catnip.

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