President Obama’s drug policy adviser on medical marijuana and enforcement
President Obama’s drug policy adviser on medical marijuana and enforcement
On election day, voters in Washington and Colorado went for President Obama. They also voted to legalize marijuana.
But Gil Kerlikowske, the president’s top drug adviser, says that states that have passed their own laws to legalize or decriminalize marijuana shouldn’t assume the federal government will look the other way.
“There has been nothing that I have seen or heard from the Department of Justice that says ‘Look we’re not going to continue to enforce federal law,'” he says. “And we’re going to continue to take a hard look at those people who are involved in making money on essentially a violation of federal law.”
But Kerlikowske is no fan of the traditional approach to the “War on Drugs.” He says “it’s a huge mistake to give people the impression that this is a win or lose situation…we have to work really hard in this country to give young people the foundation they need to achieve what they want to do.”
Kerlikowske favors treatment for addiction over incarceration, a preference that is reflected in his most recent budget.
There’s a lot happening in the world. Through it all, Marketplace is here for you.
You rely on Marketplace to break down the world’s events and tell you how it affects you in a fact-based, approachable way. We rely on your financial support to keep making that possible.
Your donation today powers the independent journalism that you rely on. For just $5/month, you can help sustain Marketplace so we can keep reporting on the things that matter to you.
