Tuesday May 19, 2009, 6:59 pm
When it comes to addressing America's disastrous war on drugs, the Obama administration appears to be moving in the right direction -- albeit very, very cautiously.

On the rhetorical front, all the president's men are saying the right things.

In his first interview since being confirmed, Obama's new drug czar, Gil Kerlikowske, said that we need to stop looking at our drug problem as a war. "Regardless of how you try to explain to people it's a 'war on drugs" or a 'war on product,'" he told the Wall Street Journal, "people see war as a war on them. We're not at war with people in this country."

He also said that it was time to focus more on treatment and less on incarceration.

Earlier this year, Attorney General Eric Holder announced that the federal government would no longer raid and prosecute distributors of medical marijuana who operate in accordance with state law in the 13 states where voters have made it legal.

Holder has also said that his department intends to eliminate the outrageous and prejudicial sentencing disparity between crack and powder cocaine.

And while on the campaign trail, President Obama called for repealing the ban on federal funding for anti-AIDS programs that supply clean needles to drug users.

All positive signs that we are ready to move beyond our failed war on drugs.

But when it comes to putting its rhetoric into action, the Obama administration has faltered.

Just a week after the Attorney General said there would be no more medical marijuana raids, the DEA raided a licensed medical marijuana dispensary in California.

Obama's '09-'10 budget proposes to continue the longstanding ban on federal funding of needle exchange programs.

The current budget is still overwhelmingly skewed in favor of the drug war approach -- indeed, it allocates more to drug enforcement and less to prevention than even George Bush did.

Testifying today in front of the House Judiciary Committee, Holder, in his opening statement, called for a working group to examine federal cocaine sentencing policy: "Based on that review, we will determine what sentencing reforms are appropriate, including making recommendations to Congress on changes to crack and powder cocaine sentencing policy." A working group? Why? As a senator, Obama co-sponsored legislation (introduced by Joe Biden) to end the disparity. What further review is needed?

(To be fair, during questioning, Holder said he and the president both favored doing away with the crack/powder disparity and said that Justice would even consider doing away with mandatory minimums altogether. But why the initial equivocation and the use of the very familiar needs-further-review dodge?)

So the question becomes: is the Obama administration really committed to a fundamental shift in America's approach to drug policy or is this about serving up a kinder, gentler drug war?

And this at a time when the tide is clearly turning. Inspired by the massive budget crises facing many states, and the increase in drug violence both at home and abroad -- leaders on all points across the political spectrum appear more willing to rethink our ruinous drug policies.

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has called for "an open debate" and careful study of proposals to legalize, regulate, and tax marijuana. Former Mexican President Vicente Fox has also urged renewing the debate, saying that he isn't convinced taxing and regulating drugs is the answer but "why not discuss it?" Arizona Attorney General Terry Goddard, pointing to evidence that Mexican drug cartels draw 60 to 80 percent of their revenue from pot, suggested legalization might be an effective tool to combat Mexican drug traffickers and American gangs.

And, in a major shift in the global drug policy debate, a Latin American commission, headed by the former presidents Fernando Cardoso of Brazil, Ernesto Zedillo of Mexico, and Cesar Gavaria of Colombia issued a devastating report condemning America's 40-year war on drugs.

"Prohibitionist policies based on eradication, interdiction and criminalization of consumption simply haven't worked," the former presidents wrote in a joint op-ed. "The revision of U.S.-inspired drug policies is urgent in light of the rising levels of violence and corruption associated with narcotics. The alarming power of the drug cartels is leading to a criminalization of politics and a politicization of crime."

They called for "a paradigm shift in drug policies" that begins with "changing the status of addicts from drug buyers in the illegal market to patients cared for by the public health system."

And in Congress, Sen. Jim Webb has introduced legislation, with co-sponsors from both sides of the aisle, to create a blue-ribbon commission to examine criminal justice and drug policies and how they have led to our nation's jam-packed jails -- now filled with tens of thousands of nonviolent drug offenders.

"With so many of our citizens in prison compared with the rest of the world," Webb wrote in a recent Parade cover story, "there are only two possibilities: Either we are home to the most evil people on earth or we are doing something different--and vastly counterproductive. Obviously, the answer is the latter."

I understand that drugs continue to be a political hot potato, fueled by what the Latin American presidents described as "prejudices and fears that sometimes bear little relation to reality." And I can easily picture some on the president's team advising him to keep the issue on the backburner lest it turn into his "Don't Ask, Don't Tell."

But the cost of the drug war -- both human and financial -- is far too high to allow politics to dictate the administration's actions. Indeed, with all the budget cutting going on, how can anyone justify spending tens of billions of dollars a year on an unwinnable war against our own people?

Change won't be easy. The prison-industrial complex has a deeply vested interest in maintaining the status quo. Which is why we need to keep the pressure on the president and his team to follow through on their drug policy promises.

As with the regulation of Wall Street, real reform of our nation's drugs policies won't happen without someone in the administration making it a top priority.

The jury is still out on Kerlikowske. His law enforcement background could make him the drug war equivalent of Tim Geithner -- too enmeshed in the system he is tasked with overhauling.

Holder shows more promise. But he'll have to avoid the let's-have-a-working-group-review-decisions-that-have-already-been-decided approach.

As a reminder, I'm planning to send the Attorney General a few copies of This Is Your Country On Drugs, a book out next month on the history of drug use and drug policy in America by our HuffPost Congressional correspondent Ryan Grim. In it, he argues that the goal of U.S. policy should not be to eliminate drugs, but to prevent and treat the addiction and other problems that come with them: "As currently understood and implemented, drug policy attempts to isolate a phenomenon that can't be taken in isolation. Economic policy is drug policy. Healthcare policy is drug policy. Foreign policy, too, is drug policy. When approached in isolation, drug policy almost always leads to unfortunate and unintended consequences."

With three-quarters of the drug offenders clogging our state prisons there for nonviolent offenses -- and a disproportionate number of those young men of color -- the time has come to wage a full-scale war on the war on drugs.

Tuesday May 19, 2009, 7:38 pm
Noted with many thanks Dearest Jillyanne:)
Love:)
Black Dalia:)

Tuesday May 19, 2009, 7:56 pm
I worked hard to try and ensure that we had a new president. One that would keep his word and change all the wrongs of the last administration. I was ecstatic when he was elected. Now after his first 100 days what do I see? No change and more of the same. You know what I'm starting to believe about his first 100 days? Would you believe bought out? He seems to be backing out of every single promise he made. I don't know what other conclusion to draw. What is more maddening than anything is where are all the green collar jobs that were promised? Wiped out by big oil? Sure seems like it to me. I think the American have been sold out again! Is there nothing we can do about this?

Tuesday May 19, 2009, 8:04 pm
I am very pleased with Obama' progress so far. Dispite republicans blocking everything, he still has managed to get so many things changed for the positive. But, he has to fight one war at a time, and to make the most important wars first, like our economy and universal health care. Oil companies, banks, insurdance, HMOs hospitals, drug co, etc are spening billions to stop him all the way. So, worrying about drug laws right now is not a prioritey, and I agree. We need to deal with the big things first.

Tuesday May 19, 2009, 8:51 pm
noted thank you

Tuesday May 19, 2009, 9:07 pm
WELL I FOR ONE HOPES HE MAKE'S THEM ALL LEGAL THE CRIME RATE WILL DROP TO ABOUT NOTHING, AND THE PRISONS WON'T BE FULL OF PEOPLE THAT DID SOMETHING THAT THEY ENJOYED DOING. I KNOW I HAVE BEEN THERE TWICE JUST BECAUSED I LIKED GETTIG HIGH. AND IT'S NOT A WAR ON DRUGS IT'S A WAR ON THE ONES THAT USE THEM SO THEY CAN LOCK YOU UP AND TAKE AWAY YOUR RIGHTS, HERE IN THIS STATE I CAN'T GET FOOD STAMPS BECAUSE OF THE CHARGE, BUT IF I WENT AND RAPED A KID OR KILLED SOMEONE I COULD GET THEM TELL ME WHAT IS WRONG WITH THE LAW. AND BESIDES THAT THEY COULD TAX THEM ALL . fREE cOUNTRY WHERE YOU CAN DO WHAT YOU ENJOY, MY ASS

Tuesday May 19, 2009, 9:15 pm
You're absolutely right Terry...

Tuesday May 19, 2009, 9:18 pm
You're welcome, Dalia. We are far out of step with the rest of the world on this issue and now is always the time to do the right thing. The taxes spent on keeping these people imprisoned alone, if spent elsewhere could perform miracles. You want to turn things around financially? Let them all out. Nick, you mention our economy. Do you know how much it costs us to keep a man incarcerated in prison for one year? Not everybody caught with "drugs" is a drug addict or dealer. Everything fits together too, you can't piece meal it all. We would gain status and respect which we desperately need. People are tired of having their countries torn apart because of OUR war on drugs, (not to mention our wars on everything else). I don't know if our leaders would know how to act if they weren't involved in this war, and that war and ones that could be in the makings, if they can get the ball moving in the right direction. America - the big war machine. This is a big thing. Charles, I am afraid you may be right. I keep looking for the positive, the promises and...etc...and I don't see them either. Wish I did. Would love to be wrong.

Tuesday May 19, 2009, 9:21 pm
Noted. Thank You.

Tuesday May 19, 2009, 9:38 pm
Noted. Thank you, Jillyanne.

Tuesday May 19, 2009, 10:31 pm
I had to send Charles a star, as I do sense the frustration in those who had put so much HOPE into this President, and hoping his promises were genuine. Keep Hope, within ourselves and each other. The President doesn't seem to lean towards legalization, but this would be the best solution, in my opinion. End the so-called, "war on drugs."

Tuesday May 19, 2009, 10:32 pm
Noted and thank you Jillyanne :)

Tuesday May 19, 2009, 10:38 pm
Thanks, Jillyanne.

Tuesday May 19, 2009, 11:53 pm
Done....thanks Jillyanne.

Wednesday May 20, 2009, 3:11 am
Noted with thanks Jillyanne.

Wednesday May 20, 2009, 3:13 am
TY, lets not forget that the Drug dealers DO NOT want to see any drugs legal! They would be out of a job then. Believe it or not, here in NC and TN it is the Preachers and Dealers who do not want to see drugs or alcohol legal!! Strange aint it? The good and the bad do not want to see it legal! :)

Wednesday May 20, 2009, 3:39 am
If you legalize drugs, you can tax them, regulate them, lower the price so crime can go down. You can treat people .

As long as drugs are illegal, all you can do is chase them, fight crime from people who are a. stealing in order to get drugs, or B. killing people because they are on drugs.

The cost of broken families from drug addicts is high. That could be lowered if drugs were made legal.

I would love for someone to make opium poppies extinct. But it isn't going to happen.

Obama has been in office for only 4 months. Give him a chance.

As for the gun wars on the border of Mexico...it isn't all about drugs. Its about macho egos, and gun running. South Americans seem to crave power...because they beat each other up so much. It was handed down by the Spanish....remember the inquisition? The Catholic people who invented torture?

Wednesday May 20, 2009, 9:15 am
The U.S.'s 'war on drugs" which began with former-President Reagan has failed big time! If President Obama makes all drugs legal, the drug dealers will be out of a job (a good thing!) and those who use drugs will go into rehab centers (where they really belong) rather than prisons. I for one haven't given up hope that President Obama will do the smart thing and legalize all drugs, not just "medicinal' drugs :)

Wednesday May 20, 2009, 12:21 pm
No I don't think so.So many presendent befor him have tried to know avale.There are to many people out there that are in to drugs to deep be it users,seller,growers,makers,as lone as these people are into drugs they will always find a way to get what they want.Mr. Obama will try and try hard too.I will give him credit for trying.So far he has done most of what he promise,and I give him a A+ on all he has done.I have some family members who are on drugs,and have gone to rehabs with no success.I really belive that if they want to stop themselves it started with God and within.give it all to God and he will help.thanks

Wednesday May 20, 2009, 12:43 pm
Just a week after the Attorney General said there would be no more medical marijuana raids, the DEA raided a licensed medical marijuana dispensary in California.

So what, who, and how did this continue?
We need positive action, not more noise.

This sounds like arresting our own Border Patrol for trying to stop a known smuggler.

Whose side is this Administration on?

This is Bogus news. I am saddened more so than before.

TY Jillyanne.

Wednesday May 20, 2009, 12:48 pm
The current budget is still overwhelmingly skewed in favor of the drug war approach -- indeed, it allocates more to drug enforcement and less to prevention than even George Bush did.

This is Socialism. Keeping the profits for the few insiders while the country suffers.
Prisons profit. Textile profits. Pharma profits again. The Oil Barons (seed oil Diesel fuel). Gore and his Trade Malarkey spew/trade carbons and profit.

So, what will happen with the DEA Theft and law breaking?
Has anyone told Holder about the wrongful raid?

Wednesday May 20, 2009, 4:19 pm
Thank you, Jillyanne. Good post!! Noted.

Wednesday May 20, 2009, 5:51 pm
We need more Rehabilitation facilities for those who need help getting off of hard drugs and alcohol. If we could treat people humanly rather than throw them in jail among murders and child rapists it would be far more cost effective, not to mention bring this whole Country into civility. There would be less crime as the addict would get help so they would not have to steal for their fix or learn new ways to do crime in jail among the hardened criminals.

As for marijuana, can we not get beyond the refer madness phase. Alcohol does far more harm in loss of wages, spousal abuse, child abuse, accidents on the road, and damage to society overall, yet it is legal. It is just who has had the power and what they "feel" should be legal or not. This judicial system and laws has destroyed more lives putting marijuana smokers in jail, separating them from their children, causing them financial hardship than any amount of marijuana smoking has done. If someone develops a problem with the marijuana then offer them help...not jail.

I do not drink nor smoke but my life has been terribly affected in a negative way by alcohol from others abuse of it....I can not think of one person who smoked marijuana that has adversly affected my life.

Thursday May 21, 2009, 1:01 am
Whenever the Govt. declares "war"
on anything, the "problem" akways gets
worse, depending on your perspective.
Lyndon Johnson declared the "War on
Poverty", and yes, a great many good
plans came out of that.
But, the U.S. govt. has spent between
$5 trillion and $6 trillion since the
mid 60's on this "war", and we have more
poor than ever.
They declared the "War on Drugs", and within
a few years, the drugs were much cheaper, much
better, and far more easily available. I started
smoking pot in 1978. I know of what I speak.
The "War on Terrorism (Islam)"??
8 years now, and people are still getting blown
up all over the world, every day.
How's that workin' for ya, Barack?

As a medical marijuana activist, I can tell you that
the national mood, in favor of legalisation of marijuana
has never been better. If the US govt. remains stable
and intact, we will see legal marijuana widespread,
all over the country, in 5 to 7 years.
Remember, the "baby boomers" began turning 60 three
years ago. A person who is, today, 60 yrs. of age,
was 20 in 1969. Think about that.
Now, large portions of the generations coming along
behind them have no problem with marijuana. These
folks have seen responsible marijuana use, and have
used it responsibly and recreationally themselves.
These folks have also seen marijuana used medicinally,
and have seen medical use become legal in 13 states
in 12 years.
I must respectfully disagree with Dandelion, and with
all due respect, too. :
We will see the "Reefer Madness" attitude go away.
I believe we're seeing that already. "Reefer Madness"
thinking is close to being 75 years old, and it's
comical and antiquated, and tens of million of people
in the U.S. know what an innocuous and harmless "drug"
marijuana truly is.

Will Obama end the drug war?
No.
The "drug war" is another mind-game the government
is playing on us all, and it will shortly lead to
more control of individual citizen, the constant
loss of our rights will increase, and.............
I read a few days ago that, soon, as part of the
soon-coming North American Union, the US & Mexican
militaries are now in the process of merging. The US
has the same arrangement with Colombia and Peru.
Does this give you warm fuzzies?
No?
It shouldn't.

Thanks for a GREAT post, Jill!
Late getting here,
but noted. :-)

Thursday May 21, 2009, 1:05 am
Noted, thanks

Thursday May 21, 2009, 10:32 am
Mexico just legalized all drugs, for personal use only.. They tried this under Bush and he pressured the then President of Mexico to veto the law passed by the legislature, which represents the people.

We will see whether the old obsolete survival energy still has control, or whether we are moving into a more spiritual approach to dealing with problems and issues.

We can solve problems, by not fighting them tooth and nail.

We can accept all of our issues and deal with what is left after the acceptance, through treatment programs, counseling, and many other NON VIOLENT means. The answers are there, but we have to open up to them, using a different approach than one of constant and never ending WAR... in all directions, on all levels?

How about trying PEACE and giving it a chance for a change?

Start with INNER PEACE and then watch it manifest outside as well.

Thursday May 21, 2009, 10:55 am
Thank you :)

Thursday May 21, 2009, 1:36 pm
Dandelion G., thank you so much for saying that alcohol does far more harm to society than marijuana and yet alcohol is 'legal'! I have been shouting this loud and long ever since my best friend was killed by a drunk driver in 1981. Since then I have advocated for harsher jail terms for those who drive drunk and kill. Unfortunately alcohol is still 'legal' and marijuana is not! But the tide is changing and I thank God our lawmakers are finally coming to their senses. Another issue that pisses me off is that the government should go after the Big Corporations that pour toxic pollutants into our air every day rather than pick on the smoker of cigarettes! But that's entirely a different issue for another post; sorry I got off-topic there :) Again, thank you Dandelion G. for saying what I have been saying about alcohol for 28 years now.

Friday May 22, 2009, 5:04 pm
Great submission Jillyanne!! Yaay!!

Sunday May 24, 2009, 2:47 am
This issue should have been solved a long time ago!
Would have saved alot of tax dollars not to mension the suffering, the pain and running around in the addictive circle that has been done so fa,...r but I'm telling nothing new.
But it's not so much the getting of the addiction as well as the live these people have to build again for themselves where every community/goverment failles, specially when they are hommeless.
I hope this time round it gets legaliced and they are able to set up a good and solid program for those in need!!

ps it's not much better in my country, here also they are making a big issue out of a relatifly small thing that belongs on the same shelve as alcohol and sigarettes!

respect Hazeyjane!

Monday May 25, 2009, 5:09 am
Noted and thanks for the forward.

-Charlie H.

Sunday May 31, 2009, 12:47 pm
I know this is bad of me, lol, I agree with legalizing weed but not crack. I can see other people's points though as it would almost illiminate crime for the drugs. In some ways. Yet I see some people who will take a gun to a drug store to get the "legal" drugs their doc got them hooked on and then refused to give them any more. So I think in some instances it will create a new/old crime. *sigh* I think they need to legalize weed not because I smoke it, but if I got sick? I would. I do not feel our government should have the right to deny me, a natural medicine that has helped many people through Chemo, migrained headaches and other illnesses. I know a guy who used to smoke it for migraine headaches, all of the meds he tried did NOTHING to stop the pain. Some gave him some weed told him to smoke it? ALL GONE migraine with a little after effect. LMAO Now after Michigan made medical marijuana use legal? If he has ANY in his system he will be fired from his job. So he can legal use it for his headaches but through majorly faulty testing kits, he will be fired if he does. If he takes ANY natural medicines it will make the test come out positive and he WILL be fired. These test kits recognize all natural meds as drugs... How can you legal even use it? Disgusting the whole mess, legalize it and move on FFS

Thursday June 11, 2009, 6:19 pm
Decriminalize drugs on both sides of the border, put the cartels out of the drug business, and let people with addiction problems get it cheap, along with counseling, at government run drug distribution centers and at hospitals. Drug use is a medical problem. Free all the drug users from prison and give them free drugs with the $40k per prisoner saved by not incarcerating them. Prohibition doesn't work, it just makes gangsters rich.