Legal Commentary

Reactions to Choice of Kerlikowske as Drug Czar

By Jeralyn

Drug Reform groups and others are beginning to react to the reports that President Obama will choose Seattle police chief Gil Kerlikowske as the new Drug Czar:

• Paul Armentano at NORML

The day the U.S. government finally — and properly — recognizes that drug use is a public health problem and not solely a criminal justice issue will be the day that the President appoints a White House ‘Drug Czar’ who possesses a professional background in public health, addiction, and treatment rather than in law enforcement.

But until that day arrives, perhaps the best we reformers can hope for is a cop who appreciates that pot poses less of a danger to the public than alcohol, and who recognizes that from a practical and fiscal standpoint, targeting and arresting adults who engage in the responsible use of cannabis doesn’t really make a whole lot of sense.

[More...]

• Dominic Holden at Slog (calls it a brilliant choice.)

• The Briefing Room

Marijuana laws are not the only drug laws that need to be reformed. I have not seen anything to suggest Kerlikowske will take a different approach than his predecessors on the draconian sentences facing other drug offenders or mandatory minimums.

Stay tuned.

Full post as published by TalkLeft on February 12, 2009 (boomark / email).