Has Obama Made a Good Choice for Drug Czar?
The Seattle Post-Intelligencer is reporting that Seattle Police Chief Gil Kerlikowske will likely be Obamaâs nominee for director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy, commonly referred to as the drug czar. It appears that we may soon be faced with the most promising drug czar ever to occupy the position.
To be clear, Kerlikowske is not a friend of drug policy reform to any extent Iâm aware of. What matters here is that I see no evidence that he is a vicious drug warrior of the sort commonly associated with the drug czar post. Given that ONDCP is mandated to oppose reform efforts and has typically embraced that role, a less confrontational and reefer madness-driven drug czar is really the best case scenario from a drug policy reform perspective.
Under Kerlikowske, Seattle has been a model for sensible marijuana policy, including the famous Seattle Hempfest at which the Seattle Police Department performs a public safety role while declining to make marijuana arrests. Following the passage of a 2004 lowest priority initiative, the cityâs already-low rate of marijuana prosecutions fell even further, suggesting that Kerlikowske was responsive to the will of voters.
In that sense, he offers a dramatic departure from ONDCPâs shameful history of undermining state medical marijuana laws and inserting itself into state politics for the purpose of thwarting reform efforts. In an office typically run by military officials and political hacks, Kerlikowske would bring expertise in community policing and public relations.
As drug czar, I have no doubt that Gil Kerlikowske would oppose drug legalization and serve as our primary opponent on many issues. Nevertheless, at first glance, my gut instinct is that after several drug czars from hell, a guy from Seattle doesnât sound so bad.
Update: I'd be remiss not to mention that Kerlikowske's immediate predecessor was Norm Stamper.
Marijuana Probably Wonât Give You Cancer in Your Testicles
Everybodyâs talking about this weekâs news that marijuana might increase your risk of some kind of horrible testicular cancer (especially dudes who smoke lots of pot).
Of course, as you might have guessed, the whole thing is wildly overblown, as NORMLâs Paul Armentano explains.
Of course, as you might have guessed, the whole thing is wildly overblown, as NORMLâs Paul Armentano explains.
Crazed Sheriff Arrests 8 in Phelps Bong Investigation
There is just no limit to the stupidity that ensues when drug warriors develop a craving for attention:
Could there ever be a better example of the pettiness and triviality that characterizes the enforcement of our drug laws? Anyone watching this (which now includes a respectable segment of earthâs population), can plainly observe the amazing lameness that the war on drugs has instilled in our public servants.
What could possibly be said in defense of launching an entire police operation for the sole purpose of busting one guy for taking a bong hit at a party?
Who does he think heâs kidding? Everyone knows this would never be happening if Phelps wasnât rich and famous. At the risk of giving Sheriff Lott too much credit, I highly doubt this is standard procedure when he finds out someone smoked pot at a party months ago. Heâs either completely full of crap about his motivations for targeting Phelps, or heâs truly the biggest drug war jackass in the long and terrible history of the species.
Regardless, it has become perfectly clear that Sheriff Lott wonât stop until he puts the worldâs greatest athlete in handcuffs for smoking a bong at a party. With the whole world watching, this crazy cop is prepared to create one of the ugliest, dumbest spectacles in the history of our countryâs infinitely embarrassing war on drugs. Perhaps we shouldnât fault the man for being ambitious.
The Richland County Sheriff's Department has been taking a lot of heat from people in this country and all over the world.
They want to know why Sheriff Leon Lott is going after Michael Phelps.
â¦
Lott says the picture indicated a law was being broken in his jurisdiction. He said he couldn't ignore the violation just because Phelps is rich and famous.
We've now learned that since investigators began trying to build a case, they've made eight arrests: seven for drug possession and one for distribution. These are arrests that resulted as the sheriff's department served search warrants.
We've also learned that the department has located and confiscated that bong. [WISTV.com]
Could there ever be a better example of the pettiness and triviality that characterizes the enforcement of our drug laws? Anyone watching this (which now includes a respectable segment of earthâs population), can plainly observe the amazing lameness that the war on drugs has instilled in our public servants.
What could possibly be said in defense of launching an entire police operation for the sole purpose of busting one guy for taking a bong hit at a party?
Lott says the picture indicated a law was being broken in his jurisdiction. He said he couldn't ignore the violation just because Phelps is rich and famous.
Who does he think heâs kidding? Everyone knows this would never be happening if Phelps wasnât rich and famous. At the risk of giving Sheriff Lott too much credit, I highly doubt this is standard procedure when he finds out someone smoked pot at a party months ago. Heâs either completely full of crap about his motivations for targeting Phelps, or heâs truly the biggest drug war jackass in the long and terrible history of the species.
Regardless, it has become perfectly clear that Sheriff Lott wonât stop until he puts the worldâs greatest athlete in handcuffs for smoking a bong at a party. With the whole world watching, this crazy cop is prepared to create one of the ugliest, dumbest spectacles in the history of our countryâs infinitely embarrassing war on drugs. Perhaps we shouldnât fault the man for being ambitious.
Medical Marijuana Press Conference at Minnesota Statehouse
Legislators and patients will launch what they expect to be the final push for passage of bipartisan medical marijuana legislation in Minnesota at a statehouse press conference. The Senate Health, Housing and Family Security Committee will hold a hearing on the bill, S.F. 97, at 12:30 p.m. A previous version of the bill passed the Minnesota Senate as well as every House committee, but did not receive a House floor vote.
Presenters include bill sponsors Sen. Geoff Michel (R-Edina), Sen. Steve Murphy (DFL-Red Wing) and Rep. Tom Rukavina (DFL-Virginia); K.K. Forss of Ely, who has used medical marijuana to relieve pain from multiple neck surgeries; Dr. George Wagoner, physician from Manitee, Mich. (and formerly licensed in Minnesota), whose wife used medical marijuana during her battle with ovarian cancer and who campaigned for the Michigan medical marijuana initiative that passed in November with 63 percent of the vote.
Also testifying at the hearing will be Joni Whiting of Jordan, whose daughter's battle with malignant melanoma was made bearable by using medical marijuana, and Kathy Rippentrop of Lakeville, whose mother used medical marijuana during her treatment for liver cancer. Written testimony from other patients will be presented to the committee and will be made available to the media.