Drug Cop

The word is out. Obama has nominated a new Drug Czar to head the DEA, and the drug policy reform community is “cautiously optimistic” about his pick of Seattle Police Chief Gil Kerlikowske.

Wait a minute! Optimistic? This isn't the public health advocate they were hoping for, so why is this considered good news? Well, here are a few of the main reasons:

1. Marijuana has been legal for medicinal purposes in Washington state for over 10 years, and since then those rights have not been infringed upon.

2. Seattle is one of the first cities to implement and support disease-preventing syringe exchange programs.

3. Under Kerlikowske, marijuana possession has been demoted to the lowest level of law enforcement priority.

It is also worth noting that Kerlikowske’s jurisdiction is the home of Seattle Hempfest, an annual drug law reform celebration where pot is smoked openly. Organizers of the event have nothing but kind words regarding how their event’s attendees are treated by Seattle law enforcement, namely, with utmost tolerance and respect.

Another hint of good news is that when post-inauguration DEA raids in California were made known to the White House by efforts of active citizens, the Obama Administration quickly responded in a press conference that federal resources will no longer "be used to circumvent state laws." And now, only one week later, a relatively open-minded cop has been nominated to lead the DEA.  All drug policy reform groups are in agreement that, though not ideal, Police Chief Kerlikowske will likely be the most rational and level-headed Drug Czar to date if confirmed by the Senate.

Again, reformers are only “cautiously optimistic” about the DEA's new leadership and are still encouraging citizens to write or call their representatives and the White House to ensure Obama sticks to his campaign promises.

Blatant questioning of the illegal status of marijuana has been getting lots of press lately -- from the Kellogg Boycott featured on CNN to a new prime-time exclusive named Marijuana Inc. on CNBC (which features an online poll). It appears the Obama Administration is moving in a more humane and scientific direction. But, as always, it is up to us to keep the pressure on and conversation going.