Legalizing marijuana in California not the answer to drug war, federal official says

The nation’s drug czar traveled to California to highlight his contention that legalizing marijuana is not the answer to a drug war he acknowledged has not succeeded.

Instead, Gil Kerlikowske stressed what he called a middle way: increased prevention and treatment.

Kerlikowske’s stated reason for the drop-in visit Wednesday was an invitation from the Pasadena Recovery Center to participate in a round-table with drug treatment specialists that lasted less than half an hour.

Before the event, he spoke to the media about his opposition to Proposition 19.

“The facts are that this proposition would not be helpful to the people of California,” he said, insisting that it would not solve the state’s budget crisis or reduce Mexican drug violence.

He also dismissed the argument made by proponents that children would have less access to marijuana if it were regulated, noting that children can still find alcohol and cigarettes.

“Why do we think that we can suddenly do it with marijuana, which can be grown in a backyard?” he asked. “I think it’s such a false promise.”

The Obama administration has cranked up its efforts to defeat the measure.

Last week, U.S. Atty. Gen. Eric Holder said he would “vigorously enforce” federal narcotics laws, even if voters approved the measure Nov. 2, and “is considering all available legal and policy options.”

Stephen Gutwillig, the state director for the Drug Policy Alliance, said he was not surprised the drug czar found his way to California. “They have to fly people in from D.C. with the news flash that the federal government opposes marijuana,” he said. “I’m shocked, shocked.”

Kerlikowske also released an analysis that showed 47% of Californians receiving treatment for marijuana are younger than 18, compared to 28% in the rest of the nation, and 65% began using marijuana at 14 or younger, compared to 55% for the rest of the nation.

Gutwillig said the analysis underscores that the drug war has failed.

--John Hoeffel

Comments

[Tony]

Hey Kerlikowske, How about this. Do you job and STAY OUT OF law making. IF the people decide to go a different direction than your ill conceived plan to stop all drug use, then so be it. We live in America! BY THE PEOPLE FOR THE PEOPLE! Please, to any and all government workers.

Ahem...

YOU WORK FOR US! We tell you what to do and you do it.
That being said, you're more than welcome to have your own opinion, but know this. You drug war has failed, is failing and IS changing.

Like it or not.

[thomas vesely]

the federal czars pay packet/status informs his stance.all the way down the line.

[inbox1909]

After his hypocritical speech on marijuana, the drug "Czar", who was appointed by the president, went to a bar and had a couple of cocktails. No word on whether he will recommend "treatment and prevention" to the last three American presidents, all of whom smoked pot and got away with it.

[All Hallows Eve]

What can I say here?

DUH!

It's simply a beginning.
And if it doesn't pass NOW, it will SOON!
Deal with it!

[James Jackson]

The various surveys' wide variation makes them all suspect. The PPIC was founded by William R. Hewlett (Hewlett-Packard) and is business-oriented. We know what that means. We will have to wait for results of the final survey on November 2. Won't people be surprised when it passes!

[Al]

The Drug Czar doesn't want to legalize marijuana?

Shocker!

Don't let the feds push you around. YES on 19!

[shadoepark]

Absolutely correct!
We stay on the path like the Capt. of the Titanic !The industrial penal system is our new industry to replace all our lost jobs and the winner is.....
Not you!

[mutantbuzzard]

Who care what the feds say? They haven't been right on the war on pot since the start. The feds have had evidencesince '73 that using pot prevents cancer. Tell the feds to get bent. Go prop 19.

[charles]

So just keep on doing what we have been doing? Works for me.

[Hypatia]

Then what is, Mr Holder? More of the failed 'war on drugs'? Or do you just need all those fines and liens to balance your budget?

[denbee]

It may be called "middle ground" Gil but it sounds to me like the same old prohibition. Why not try something different? If we are wrong and legal cannabis proves to be the ruin of American society as predicted by law enforcers then we can simply make it illegal again. Give legalization a chance, maybe you'll get your chance to say I told you so but common sense and 72 years of history tells me that prohibition is a hugh waste of resources and tax money and the people of this country have had enough of big government telling them that they must only drink alcohol if they want to recreate or relax at the day's end. Let's give America a choice. Let's stop the alcohol monopoly and maybe, just maybe, we can save a few lives, livers and families in the process. Last year over 30 of our college students died from alcohol binging...no one died from cannabis binging. What are the extreme effects of cannabis binging? Lots of ice cream and a good nights sleep. Dangerous stuff huh? All we are saying is give cannabis a chance. The evils of cannabis are largely created in the minds of law enforcers. It allows them to keep their well paid jobs.

[Danny]

“The facts are that this proposition would not be helpful to the people of California,” he said, insisting that it would not solve the state’s budget crisis or reduce Mexican drug violence.

- The proposition does not claim to solve state budgets, nor reduce drug violence. It does however, claim to bring revenue into a state that is closing schools, and parks.

U.S. Atty. Gen. Eric Holder said he would “vigorously enforce” federal narcotics laws, even if voters approved the measure Nov. 2, and “is considering all available legal and policy options.”

- The 10th Amendment to the US Constitution states:
The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.

[dane]

Jesus said the people cast outside Heaven are "those who practice sorcery."[Rev.21:8]
The original Greek word means, "The use of drugs and spell giving potions."
God's Word says, "The acts of the sinful nature are obvious...sorcery [this Greek word
means "The use of drugs"]...I warn you that those who live like this will not
inherit the kingdom of God."[Gal.5:20,21]