Hell Freezes Over: White House Drug Czar Backs Decriminalization
October 27, 2008
John Walters Backs a Mexican Proposal Far More Sweeping Than U.S. Measures He Has Opposed
(Washington, D.C.) The Marijuana Policy Project today congratulated White House “drug czar” John Walters for backing a Mexican government proposal that would remove criminal penalties for possession of small amounts of marijuana.
“I can’t believe I’m actually saying this, but John Walters is right,” said MPP executive director Rob Kampia. “We heartily second his support for eliminating criminal penalties for marijuana users in Mexico, and look forward to working with him to end such penalties in the U.S. as well.”
On Oct. 22, The New York Times reported Walters’ public support for a drug decriminalization proposal by Mexican President Felipe Calderon, quoting Walters as saying, “I don’t think that’s legalization.” Under Calderon’s proposal, individuals caught with small quantities of marijuana would receive no jail sentence or fine and would not receive a criminal record so long as they complete either drug education or, if addicted, drug treatment. Unlike proposals supported by MPP, the Mexican president’s proposal would also decriminalize possession of small amounts of heroin, cocaine and methamphetamine.
“It’s fantastic that John Walters has recognized the massive destruction the drug war has inflicted on Mexico and is now calling for reforms there, but he’s a rank hypocrite if he continues opposing similar reforms in the U.S.,” Kampia said. “The Mexican proposal is far more sweeping than MPP’s proposals to decriminalize marijuana or make marijuana medically available, both of which John Walters and his henchmen rail against.”
In a March 19, 2008, press release from the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy, deputy director Scott Burns called a New Hampshire proposal to impose a $200 fine rather than jail time for a small amount of marijuana “a dangerous first step toward complete drug legalization.”
With more than 25,000 members and 100,000 e-mail subscribers nationwide, the Marijuana Policy Project is the largest marijuana policy reform organization in the United States. MPP believes that the best way to minimize the harm associated with marijuana is to regulate marijuana in a manner similar to alcohol. For more information, please visit http://www.MarijuanaPolicy.org.
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Posted by News LI Editor · Filed Under Politics
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12 Responses to “Hell Freezes Over: White House Drug Czar Backs Decriminalization”
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You must be kidding, MPP…Czar Walters seeing reason and using logic? NO WAY! I guaranteee you, were Czar Walters to support something like this in the US, it would work like this: first time Cannabis offenders get mandatory two-year long “drug court;” repeat offenders: well, they had their chance, 15 years in prison.
- Posted by: PSYOP
This IS bizarre. What to think? Great headline, in any event.
- Posted by: mike
this is part of the NWO plan, this is backed to catalog persons whom partake of the herb and Psyop has it right it would lead to something like this:
“first time Cannabis offenders get mandatory two-year long “drug court;” repeat offenders: well, they had their chance, 15 years in prison.”
while generating tons of money for the Drug treatment people and drug testing organizations
- Posted by: none
Nice going dude I think you hit it right on.
Jiff
www.anonymity.cz.tc
- Posted by: Jiff Bean
This is really the first positive thing I have ever heard out of John Walters mouth–ever!!! Way to go John. Now let’s see this philosophy flow back across the river here to us at home. I still give it 10 years.
- Posted by: Tim
Something you all need to know about the drug czar:
http://blogs.salon.com/0002762/stories/2007/10/09/theDrugCzarIsRequiredByLaw.html
- Posted by: Fred
How does it make sense for the ONDCP to support decriminalization???
Mr. Walters can’t endorse decriminalization in Mexico and then say it has no value here anymore.
Maybe endorsing decriminalization in Mexico is a precursor to a major policy shift right here in the US??? After seventy years of prohibition maybe the cartels are forcing our Government to change their policy before our suburbs turn into killing fields?
- Posted by: Jillian
The Marijuana Policy Project today congratulated White House “drug czar” John Walters for backing a Mexican government proposal that would remove criminal penalties for possession of small amounts of marijuana.The Mexican proposal is far more sweeping than MPP’s proposals to decriminalize marijuana or make marijuana medically available, both of which John Walters and his henchmen rail against.
——————–
Gillberk
Drug Rehabilitation Programs
- Posted by: gillberk
I read about this about a month ago. Oh, I live down here in Calderon country. Much talk but nothing’s been done. And as hard as it is for the different factions to agree within the Mexican Congresso, I’ll believe it when it’s enacted. I can tell you that, as a LEAP member, I’ve spoken to many Mexican police officers, both State and Muni and they all agree that legalization would make their lives much better and safer.
Prices down here are exceedingly cheap, when purchased direct from the grower. And that’s under “Prohibition pricing.” Legalize and you’d understand just how cheaply this stuff could be sold! Legalization would bring the price, and profit factor, so low, there would be NO dealers nor trafficers. It simply wouldn’t be worth it! That’s not just “estimation,” that’s “feet dry”, “eyes on” facts!
- Posted by: ezrydn
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