Judge Jim Gray: In Harm’s Way

Jim Gray talking about America´s “failed and hopeless policy of drug prohibition”. Describing himself as a “conservative judge” who has never used illicit drugs or marijuana, he nevertheless spells out why he believes that prohibition of cannabis is putting children and young people in more danger than regulation would.

His arguments are presented in a way that is easily understood by all, and backed up by facts and experience from his years working in the criminal justice system and with youth outreach projects. If you have ever wished you had a unquestionably credible and succinct case against prohibition to share with someone, this is exactly the right video.

Ex-U.S. attorney: Time to change pot laws

Three years ago, former U.S. Attorney John McKay was somewhere near the front lines of the nation’s drug war.

Directing federal prosecutions in Western Washington before he was fired in 2006 by the administration that appointed him, McKay’s office sent marijuana smugglers and farmers to prison on decade-long terms. It indicted a loudmouth Canadian pro-pot activist for selling cannabis seeds by mail order.

So the crowd at an Edmonds auditorium could have been forgiven its surprise on Monday when McKay stood on stage with travel author and decriminalization advocate Rick Steves and declared that, of course, he is “against stupid laws.”

“I think there has to be a shift in the paradigm,” said McKay, now a professor at Seattle University. “The correct policy change would be a top-to-bottom review of the nation’s drug laws.”

White House Czar Calls for End to ‘War on Drugs’

Good news … Finally someone in the White House who talks sense about the War on Drugs.

Kerlikowske Says Analogy Is Counterproductive
Shift Aligns With Administration Preference for Treatment Over Incarceration

The Obama administration’s new drug czar says he wants to banish the idea that the U.S. is fighting “a war on drugs,” a move that would underscore a shift favoring treatment over incarceration in trying to reduce illicit drug use.

In his first interview since being confirmed to head the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy, Gil Kerlikowske said Wednesday the bellicose analogy was a barrier to dealing with the nation’s drug issues.

“Regardless of how you try to explain to people it’s a ‘war on drugs’ or a ‘war on a product,’ people see a war as a war on them,” he said. “We’re not at war with people in this country.”

Gil Kerlikowske, the new White House drug czar.