What This Country Needs

BEHIND CLOSED DOORS AT THE sumptuous Ritz-Carlton hotel in seaside Laguna Niguel, Calif., a string quartet played Bach as 157 men in black tie -- and three elegantly dressed women -- gathered around a long banquet table to indulge in their shared passion. Among them were company presidents, politicians, entertainment celebrities and Marine Corps generals. The champagne, lobster ravioli, rare filet mignon and ripe cheeses they savored were but pleasant distractions from the evening's true purpose. Sealed from the hotel lobby and society's opprobrium beyond, these "lovers of the leaf" were happily turning the air blue with the smoke from their...