I think to a degree they are interchangable, at least when you apply politics to them both. Politics runs throughout our society and since government is an offshoot of civilized society, the two can be viewed as one in many many aspects. The alternative to an orderly, law abiding society and a freely elected government, would be chaos and anarchy. The latter I do not support, in any shape, manner or form.
To a degree, yes. As an absolute, no. Actions that are taken by self-serving bureaucrats that have no, or very little basis in societal concerns do not deserve support. Marijuana prhoibition was the creation of government, and support for it within society was artificially created by the government. Government is a creation of civilized society. Civilized society is not a creation of government.
From FDR's heavy handed manipulation of the USSC, to Harry Anslinger's lies to Congress, to Richard Nixon's commissioning research and then burying it when it didn't turn out like he wanted, marijuana prohibition has been a seedy (no pun intended) chapter in American politics and no amount of moral rationalizing will make it right.
Hope you like it!
Let's not forget, on the historical balance of probabilities, chances are the War on Drugs is a great success at achieving its true goals.
Folks are just unwilling to admit what the true goals are.