The Seattle Times published their account of Friday’s meeting with Drug Czar Gil Kerlikowske here.
Excerpt from ‘An Hour with the Drug Czar‘:
The Editorial Board’s meeting with Gil Kerlikowske turned into a big deal. Kerlikowske, the former police chief here in Seattle, is now director of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy. In other words, he’s the “Drug Czar” — a title he made fun of in our meeting when he responded to a question by saying, “If I knew the answer, I’d be more than a czar. I’d be king.”
In the paper of Sunday, Feb 20, The Times published an editorial arguing that marijuana be legalized, regulated, taxed and sold by the state of Washington. Two days later we received a request from Kerlikowske’s office that he wanted to talk to us; he could pay a visit March 4 at 2:45 p.m. Sure, we said.
Clearly this was because of our editorial. I recalled a year ago, when I wrote a column saying that legalization was coming, and that I favored it, that I received a call from Kerlikowske’s office for the first (and only) time. The Director would like to talk with me, the woman said. Would I be available at 3:00 the following afternoon? Yes, I said, I would. I wondered if he was going to chew on my ear, but in the event he missed the call, and instead sent me a copy of a speech he had given to police chiefs in San Jose.
This time around, the word got out, probably through me, that he had asked to speak to the Times Editorial Board. Dominic Holden of The Stranger called me and asked me about it and put out a report on their blog, The Slog. Holden quoted me accurately, but his headline framed Kerlikowske’s visit as an attempt to “bully” The Seattle Times. It was a stretch to call it that. Holden wrote that it was “an apparent attempt by the federal government to pressure the state’s largest newspaper to oppose marijuana legalization. Or at least turn down the volume on its new-found bullhorn to legalize pot.”
NORML, The National Organization to Reform the Marijuana Laws, picked up the story from The Slog. Paul Armentano, deputy director of NORML, portrayed Kerlikowske’s visit as an effort to “squelch” our mainstream-media voice.
Later on Friday, Mr. Kerlikowske was interviewed on KCTS…
Lmfao. I can’t believe he said the drug war was over two years ago.
‘I’m not going to make a hierarchy or differentiate between different substances.’
Huh?
What a tool. “Why would we want one more mind-altering drug?” Umm, HELLO?! Xanex, Percocet, Klonopin, Ridalin or any other pharmaceutical crap they readily shove down your throat. There’s little done to stop the increased use of junk, prescription drugs. Oh and for the record, I’ve lost 13 friends to drunk driving, not ONE to marijuana. Get the old folks out of office already. “We certainly ended the drug war.” Lol, yea…ok. Last time I checked there’s still MASSIVE violence in Mexico just to gain control of the marijuana supply. Spend your time getting rid of the drugs that kill.
So the drug war is over? Woo-hoo! I’m going to go out and spark a fatty on Main Street to celebrate the end of Draconian law…oh wait, you mean I would get arrested for that? But I thought the war on drugs was over?
Who wants to bet he has a drink with friends tonight. Booo, hypocrite. There is always going to be people that abuse things. Just as the interviewer said. He has prescription drugs in his medicine cabinet. His family doesn’t steal and abuse them. Well than it looks like he raised his children correctly. The government can not save the world. And they definitely do not know what is best for everybody. It’s time that they figured that out. There are people that abuse food and die from it. Should we outlaw that to?
v 1.0
Oh Cannabis, How I love thee
warmth and happiness you have given me
Thy perfume is always so sublime
be it scented of pine, or lemon lime
with hints of orange or flowery musk
be with me from sunrise to dusk
Oh Mary Jane, such beauty I have never seen
your red hair mixed with luminescent green
all in a blanket of sparkly THC crystal
makes humanity sing and whistle
Oh Marijuana, you are so compatible
with my mind body and soul
on this same planet you and me
together placed were we
is no mistake
it is a gift
for humanity to lift.
I am still not exactly clear on what transpired. The article jumps around and around as to what the visit was about. It is not written very clearly. All I know is that he showed up, they gave a transcript of a few questions and replies and that’s it? Surely, he didn’t fly all the way there for a 10 minute Q&A?
BULLSHIT ! Hey Gil, have you noticed the lines on your face getting deeper? Thats what strees has done ,stress that you have realized you life is a lie.
Heres some facts. You havent ended the drug war, you stopped calling it a drug war.
The health and social costs of cannabis or any other drug is already here, legalization wont be adding anything.
You say your not trying to arrest your way out of this war, yet, your still arresting just as many (if not more) as you always have.
Legalization will, in large part, end the DEA’s roll on the border there by reducing costs.
These are w few of the lies I chose to address. I will just say the rest of your lies are just as easy to to correct and will not waste my time.
Education does not always mean intellegence Gil,I have a feeling your very educated…get a clue…your supporting a lie.
It is error alone which needs the support of government. Truth can stand by itself.
Thomas Jefferson (1743 – 1826), Notes on Virginia
We must not let our rulers load us with perpetual debt.
Thomas Jefferson (1743 – 1826), letter to Samuel Kercheval, July 12, 1816
Democracy is 51% of the people taking away the rights of the other 49%.
Thomas Jefferson (1743 – 1826)
Kerlikowske, your ignorance and bias is BLINDING!! You’re the Peter Principle on steroids. As a 63 year old American, I weep for the freedoms we brag about but do not have, held from us by all you boot licking authoritarians.
Damn – sure has a lot of frowns on his face – so sad looking – he needs a good hit on a Fatty.
Sure we test positive – for at least 30 days – DUH!!! – Mr Drug Czar. He keeps my frown marks down – he makes me laugh.
I wonder what kind of BS speech he gave to his son when he was arrested for marijuana.
PLEASE HELP!
A former Whatcom County Medical Examiner claims direct knowledge that Cannabis killed THREE PEOPLE and the cases were covered up.
His letter to the Seattle Times was PUBLISHED IN OUR PAPER. PLEASE HELP STOP THIS LIAR!!!
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/northwestvoices/2014398891_shouldthestatelegalizeregulatepot.html
“As former medical examiner for Whatcom County and participant in drug testing, I have had experience with premature death related to marijuana. They mask the deaths as accidents. They are difficult to identify, partly because post mortem testing does not have a long history but mostly because marijuana is fat-soluble and continues to be excreted for days and weeks after an exposure. The latter makes quantification very difficult to interpret. From 1987 to 1990, we encountered three deaths in which marijuana was the major contributor. I can detail these but not in 200 words. -Robert P. Gibb, Bellingham”
Our Newspaper wont publish the truth, and only publishes the letters that don’t state the real facts.
Please get onto the comment sections and help Seattle out!
Hey Kerlikowske,Big brother black booted thug fuck you the only thing dicks like u understand is a good aditude ajustment Iam tirerd off pissing in a bottle for a job being looked down on being a third class citizen I shood repent hu As cee lo green says Fuck you Get some good erb say some mendo or some good jamacan or how bout some hawain and take a couple hits but your 2 brain washed 2 do that yens are all scarerd 2 do that after all u will go crazz Ill tell u about going crazy your stupid drug war on your on people is a total wast of taxpayers dollars.Get the fuck out of politics you idiot
I’m not the best debater, I have found something wrong with what Gil is saying every 30 seconds. So ignorant and ill-informed!!!! Makes me so mad what he says, where I can’t find a truth to it!!!
COME ON!! “Tested Positive behind the wheel for Marijuana”!?! No test exist that cops carry on them that can test the immediate use of Marijuana!
And the border wars!??!?! We will always have them because cocaine and heroin and guns are a lot of money!!!! Marijuana is uncanny cheaper compared to a gram of coke for $50 if you are lucky compared to a quarter ounce of healthy plant material for $60.
Also for the people who call the hot line saying that they have a dug problem and it somehow turns out to be something so innocent. I am guessing those people are addicted to something bigger or just wished that hot line was a Marijuana delivery service so we can relax.
Come on Gil, you are just another ignorant and blind political pawn, you went to school and build your whole life around by the DAM LIES and statistics!!
Although how many outstanding czars have we had? Effectively ZERO!!!!!
If anyone can tell me where freedom is in this Republican Democracy called “America”, please help me, I can’t help but lose faith with our “free America” when I go to other countries and it is hard to boast about how America is when you start to point out all the bites out of freedom have been taken…
Europe laughs at our policies, and after have been living on the border of Germany right next to the Netherlands for only a couple years you really realize how deprived your childhood can be, all the way up to being a political leader. Why can’t we learn from our mistakes and from our neighbors.
Why is everyone calling Marijuana a DRUG!!!..
it is an HERB…and the Bible says “Reap the Herbs of the Earth”. It is not a chemiclly made DRUG…so I don;t underdstand..then I guess you should ban Oregano, Parsley and Catnip..
His responses, as always, aren’t the least bit unpredictable. But you have to admit, the overall tone and approach has changed. If it wasn’t for the “required” strong-hold by the DOJ to limit the Drug Czar from supporting legal pot, we’d be able to have an arduous debate. Simply assuming that we will never support legal pot is extremely biased and benighted. Thankfully, the people will rule as always. And while we won’t know what the DOJ/Obama will do about state-approved legal pot, it was amiable to hear the Drug Czar reference Obama’s approach to state-approved medicinal pot, and even when he regarded medical pot as a loop hole. Keep at it folks! We can’t let the public forget!
Kerlikowske should never have contacted the newspaper. He certainly should not have requested a meeting and met with them unless the editorial board requested it. Oppression also comes in passive-aggressive forms, and it usually, if not always, comes from top down.
This whole thing looks like a major case of another condescending government servant of the people treating the editorial board as if they did not know what the ONDCP’s position on the legalization of pot was. The editorial board is far from a bunch of dummies, and they certainly don’t need you, Kerlikowske, to instruct them or educate them. You lumped cannabis in with all other illegal drugs, including abuse of prescription drugs. And, in the middle of it all was buried your message to the editorial board that they are wrong.
I certainly hope the editorial board ignores you, and continues to advocate for full legalization.
You pathetic ploys are a waste of everyone’s time.
Sounds like won’t give in on hemp till we run out of oil.
“IF I KNEW THE ANSWER, I’D BE MORE THAN A CZAR. I’D BE KING.”
No sir! You’re not King – so – you’ll do what the King tells you to do – and – the King tells you to defeat “any attempt” to legalize cannabis. “Lie your ass off” if you have to – or – even if you don’t have to.
No sir! Your not the King. “There are no Kings in America” – and – that goes for “My – delusional – Evil Brother” that you work for…King…”King a shling a ring a ding ding].” But – you can – be proud of yourself – for your obedience to My Evil Brother – for your outstanding dedication – to lie your ass off. Do they have a “Lie Czar?” Ya! They do!!!
Rebel with a Cause
Los Angeles Colony
So I guess Washington state has the go ahead to make it legal. Marijuana is a better choice and that should be a good enough reason to legalize it.
Just take marijuana out of the “Control Substance Act of 1970” and make peace and support local law enforcement.
It’s hilarious how no matter how many times they bring up “testing positive” for marijuana in car accident statistics, no one ever challenges them with, “If i smoked pot a week ago, and havent touched any for 7 days, i could still test positive, so those results are useless.” Give us our public debate, let US choose our representative!
Search for the truth guys, you aint never gonna get any from those assholes.
I gotta go puke. I watched the first 3 minutes of K’s BS. Had to turn it off. God help us.
war over? please kindly explain this to the ghosts of the twelve people murdered by police in the drug war that was over two years ago .these citzens where slautered since january of this year.and for the others who will be murdered by dispicable proffiteers in human misery enforceing this failed drug policy .
Really the more government is out of our lives the better. Im pretty liberal but still feel like government messes up more shit then it fixes. They shouldnt be trying to prohbit drugs or any social activity. Hey if you want to smoke crack and then prostitute yourself to 100 men then thats your choice. If parents would learn to take personal responisblity instead of blaming tv,music things like that. The kids will know not to steal parents pills or liquor.The parents should be teaches kids that drugs should be discouraged. But they know they dont have to because big government will step in and take responsibilty for them.
Ohhhhhhh, I get it.
The murders in Columbia, Missouri; Las Vegas; the murders of innocent people and animals – that was all a figment of my imagination..
Sorry for being so hard on the DEA. I must have been hallucinating………
Twenty-eight years of wrong does not make it right. But it makes me hate even more these constitution busting bastards.
Ever notice how politicians continually use unproven and unspecified generalities to argue a point? Example: “We know very clearly from the research that if you legalize marijuana, many more people will use it”, however, according to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health 2008, 41% of Americans over 12 have ever tried marijuana, however, according to a 1997, 2001, & 2005 – drug usage in The Netherlands study, between the ages of 15 and 64, 22.6% of their population has ever used the drug. Where is Kerlikowske’s evidence derived from??? I’d really like to know? This is the type of government propoganda we’ve got to tear apart before we succeed.
All of you who believe in this cause, find as many examples of this as you can. Logical holes and lies kill politicians.
we should do a newspaper clipping campaign: print thousands of copies of his quote saying “the drug war is over” and then staple it to police reports announcing any arrests for possession. Mail them all to Gil/Obama
Check this out, Gil . Maybe you two clowns could get together tonight at your favorite bar .
http://www.suite101.com/content/marijuana-study-says-pot-use-cut-down-by-treating-with-exercise-a356277
This guy has no clue.I bet he drinks with his buddies when it suits him. Most people need something to relax them after a hard days work. And most do not prefer hard druds that make them so they cant function.Alcohol does not agree with my gut and it gives me a headache. and the hangover sucks,prescription drugs suck also as you have to wait for them to work and cant stop the affect with a nap. You can hit a joint and feel great,have a great night sleeping, have a very productive day at work because you had a good nights sleep.Thank god for NORML. Keep up the fight. Tired of being treated like a criminal for trying to remain sane in todays stressed out world.We all need something to calm us down and marijuana is the least of all evils to help people relax.
http://www.marijuanaconversaion.org – Seattle really has the right mind set!
So the DRUG WAR ended about two wears ago. So what is with the action going on the MEXICAN BORDER with people losing their lives every day a FED FANTASY? UNICORNS still being created and erosion of our rights going down the wrong end of the tunnel where darkness prevails and the 21ST CENTURY INQUISITORS are taking their stand on MARIJUANA PROHIBITION. Then you have the comment it was’nt on our radar screen for BIG PHARMA DRUGS to be a problem for abuse. FDA (FEDERAL DEATH AUTHORITY) approved drugs for the masses being over medicated with pain and happy pills only a written prescription away. The battle between SYNTHETIC VS. NATURAL rages on with a death toll on the SYNTHETIC side, MARIJUANA ZERO. The FEDS trying to be the MASTERS OF REALITY their way, while we live in a fantasy of being free to choose of what we ingest in our bodies, it has to be FDA approved.
Im sure he thinks he’s doing the right thing. I don’t think he’s lying. I think he’s just too stupid to realize that he’s being manipulated my some very powerful and immoral folks who also think that the public is stupid as well. Legalization IS coming and it’s coming in the drug czar’s lifetime. I hope he can accept that fact because I’d hate to see his heart break when the inevitable comes to pass. Maybe some day he’ll even smoke it who knows?
Be very prudent when you hear any of the Drug Czar’s “statistics”. I’ll reference one: In a statement he made once, he made a concerned statement that 120,000 citizens voluntarily entered treatment for marijuana in 2007. Well, those statistics add up very poorly, and in fact is a very very very low number of total users. Here’s why:
5.8 percent of U.S. population used marijuana in the past month during 2007. That’s about 18 million of 302.2 million people in 2007. Among some of the 18,000,000 only 120,000 voluntarily entered treatment. That’s LESS THAN 3/4 of a percent (0.68%). Not even one percent of past month users.
So don’t let these statistics scare anyone. We must make an effort to retort every single one of his claims to effectively inform the public.
The interesting thing about this is that he mentioned his trip to see the Seattle Times was coincidental. He obviously must be lying somewhere in here. He probably would’ve made a bigger impact had he met with a bunch of 3rd/4th graders, people who haven’t been subjected to blatantly obvious lies.
What struck an odd chord with me wasn’t that he mentioned how bad prescription drugs were, but he also decided to group marijuana in with those addicting–not to mention life shortening–drugs.
One last thing about addiction you jackass. You can be addicted to T.V., video games, caffeine, Chinese food, whatever. That doesn’t mean that you have a physical dependency on said stimulus. As for your “help-line callers,” I have a hard time believing that those actually took place. If someone did call up, they were most likely on something other than marijuana and the person they were talking to ask them if they had done anything else.
I think people like this should be removed from office and replaced by more responsible and less dictator-like individuals. I’d even do the job (for half the cost), without any formal training, and a year left on my college degree in IT and still do a better job than half of these morons.
Hey you Whitehouse
Ha Ha Charade you are.
Lies + Education = Indoctrination. If some were more concerned with the truth instead of falsifying statistics/information then there would be no need for us to keep our “officials”/”representatives”/”experts” in check. Referring to the “numbers” but not having any “exact numbers/stats” to speak of and back up claims made. I see. Since the prohibition of cannabis is a farce then those who choose to think as a prohib can make up whatever “stats/numbers/penalties” they so choose. It’s never about them is it?
well, the drug war was over 2 yrs ago, hmmmm, ok I may be dumb and I ‘do’ smoke weed, but how come nobody told me? It must have went right past me when I was sleepin. A guy has to take a time out once in a while.
who wants to go to Mexico and tell those families that no one was killed, because it was over 2 years ago.
The drug czar made the coment on P/B/S on night saying we dont call it the drug war any more. And yes made a point of say smoke pot is not memdcen
You guys have written good comments. I urge you to take your superior skills to the forums in your local papers. Most folks that do not enjoy the weed are not enlightened in any way and their minds have been kept dull by alcohol, tobacco, and the government propaganda machine.
Some will see the light but so many will not.
according to “the research” legalizing would greatly increase use??? show us what research youre talking about there, gil. You, sir, are lying scum. The war on drugs is certainly NOT over. Bottom line is this: we should NEVER listen to someone whose interests are protected by keeping drugs illegal. This man’s job depends on an illegal marijuana, he’ll say ANYTHING to keep it that way. Let’s boot all these people out. It’s about time that America gets returned to the American people. Our government agencies are robbing us of our freedom. Let’s take the power back
Hey folks, if your sick now..just think…all of our politicians treat us this way. Dont it make you glad to know they think we are all so stuoid as not to see thier lies?>
They say they cant make cut to the debt….I can. I’ll start with these politicians that had thier pockets stuffed, then move on to the ones that were cowards. i guess that takes care of the politicians. time to move on to thebloated government agencies like ONDCP, lobbyists,government contractors for war, corporate hand outs,Foriegn government holding bonds, and the federal reserve. They can all go fuck them selves and wall paper thier walls with their contracts ,interest agreements,fake debt and bonds. You and i didnt agree to be their slaves.
That ought to start the{
Whenever any form of government becomes destructive of these ends [life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness] it is the right of the people to alter or abolish it, and to institute new government…
Thomas Jefferson (The Declaration of Independence) } idea.
The truth – if it was legal, Gil would be out of a job – Talk about welfare………
“Genesists are not Masters of Human Nature – but – we understand that the best way to worship God is by doing good among mankind and contribute to the well being of society.”
Prohibitionists! you are not doing good among mankind – and – you are not contributing to the well being of society. Where is your conscience? Where? If you can’t find it – perhaps you left it at home with the rest of your goodness. Did you leave it at home on purpose to protect it from My Evil Brother? It’s time to shit, or get of the pot.
Manny
San Diego Colony
“The Czar always has some version of the truth.”
When asked – “What’s your reaction to the Times – marijuana should be legalized?” – his “stated action is more of a reaction.” Ain’t that the truth! He doesn’t have to do a damned thing but sit on his ass and do nothing but follow the law and lie – as he is ordered to do by My Evil Brother. The only problem with that is – “It’s an unjust law – and – a lie is a lie.” He does make it perfectly clear [though] that “prescription drugs” is the biggest problem [yet] they give Big Pharma “The Pill.” More of that good ole’ D.C. logic. God save us all.
#
we should do a newspaper clipping campaign: print thousands of copies of his quote saying “the drug war is over” and then staple it to police reports announcing any arrests for possession. Mail them all to Gil/Obama
# Anonymous
That’s a great idea. Show examples of the recent collateral damage of the Drug War and have that quote over it.
If the Drug War was over, I’d at least feel safe in my oun country again.
I check this site every day and it never seems to fail that I get some new piece of info daily that pisses me the F off!
Today’s was this shit about scientific integrity memo for our government (FINALLY!) but they put in a line to keep the drug czar from having to tell the truth? WTF?
How can you put that in a document about INTEGRITY?
I like the way the Federal government stuck their big nose into the state of California’s business when they were getting ready to vote on legalization. I’m sure it changed a few votes. I also don’t trust the electronic voting machines. I wouldn’t put it past them to switch votes, delete votes, not count votes to fit their purposes. I always vote by paper ballot. At least they have to destroy the evidence. Marijuana….the only thing wrong with marijuana is the law. Change the Law!
The truth will come out Gil, and when it does you better start running because the masses will make you pay for all the lives you helped ruin.
Why are they even talking about any other substance than marijuana? The debate is not about pain medication problems, alcohol abuse or anything else. It is about marijuana. He spends half of the video talking about things not even relative to marijuana. The only purpose he served by doing so was to prove how wrong prohibition is. His lack of desire to even ‘tier’ all of these substances show the flaws within the system. Not everything is black and white, especially in the chemistry that is involved in all of these substances. THC obviously does not kill. Cocaine, meth and many harmful opiates on the market do. That is a difference in traits and therefor IT IS FOOLISH not to tier them. That is the same idea as saying that it is safe for infants to take adult doses of Tylenol. THE CHEMISTRY IS DIFFERENT (even with the same substance)!
The bottom line is this; whether or not cannabis is good or bad for human consumption does not even matter. What matters is that the people want it and the people are not getting it. Democracy is NOT functioning properly in our government.
Does he not understand, no one but the radical right belives his lies…
To the Capital like Egypt demanding our freedom…
I would feel better if I wake up tomorrow and read that some DEA office building was bombed.
I say hang the bastards and hang them high, if you make your living as a drug cop you are nothing even less than dust in the wind.
Free Cannabis
The hour of our redemption is here. Your patriots have demonstrated an unswerving and resolute devotion to the principles of freedom that challenges the best that is written on the pages of human history. We the People now call upon your supreme effort that the government may know from the temper of an aroused and outraged united people within that they are forced to contend with.
Rally to US. Let the indomitable spirit of California, Oregon, and Washington lead on. As the lines of this battle roll forward to bring you within the zone of opportunity, rise up and strike down this injustice. Strike this injustice at every favorable opportunity. For your homes and hearths, strike this injustice! For future generations of your sons and daughters, strike at this injustice! In the name of your sacred dead, strike at this injustice! Let no heart be faint. The guidance of divine God points the way. Follow in His Name to the Holy Grail of righteous victory over this injustice!
Sign the petition and put the government on notice.
http://www.change.org/petitions/citizens-demand-national-debate-for-the-legalization-of-cannabis#?opt_new=f&opt_fb=t
..
Most of the perscription drug problem can be solved by the legalization of Cannabis and letting people use other NATURAL non addictive remedies, but then how would BIG PHARMA make their billions.QUITE THE QUANDRY!
Job opening. Annual pay 200k +, plus excellent lifetime retirement program, and lavish benefits.
Duties: all you need to do is lie about the dangers of marijuana, keep a lid on things, and keep marijuana illegal. All applicants considered.
Would you take the job?
Alcohol and marijuana he said he doesn’t want to compare the two. I wonder why?
Heres a story about The ATF you should see if you havent.Blood is on their hands !
http://buelahman.wordpress.com/2011/03/07/the-fast-and-furious-atf-gun-runners-perpetuate-the-drug-war-lie/#comment-14604
blah blah blah blah blah….keep throwing money we don’t have down the black hole.. save the czar oh excuse me king..
Racism marches on MariJEWana.
#2: LG: “‘I’m not going to make a hierarchy or differentiate between different substances.’”
Because 99.98% of drug users start on breast milk.
OUTLAW BREASTMILK
But seriously though, he seems pretty resigned to the fact that he’s just spouting lines for Uncle Sam (and making a pretty penny in the process).
I don’t think he’s worried about pot smokers being dangerous, but he does have quotas he has to fill.
This guy is full of crap. Blahblahblah, bladey-blah. So many words, so little communicated.
I thought he came here to talk about legalizing MARIJUANA. WTF was all that other stuff about drugs? Man, change that guys name to Bob Loblaw. He needs a sidekick like Regis Philbin does, to keep him on topic.
This guy looks like he’s in pain. I wonder if he still likes his job. This guy don’t look right. If he truly is an honest man – he must be severely kicking his own ass for telling such great lies. Oh well! And another one bites the dust.
Outlaw gasoline. I hear people sniff the fumes.
of course he doesn’t want to compare alcohol and marijuana… he takes a lot of money from the alcohol companies… why not let people sue them for a drunk driver using their drug when he maims or kills or a fetal alcohol syndrome child should be able to sue the alcohol companies for selling the drugs to his mother when she was pregnant…. what a bunch of dumb hypocrites.
The drug war ended when Obama took office?
I only wish someone would call Obama on this lie during a national broadcast.
The only difference between Obama and Bush is that Obama is lying about the drug war.
By the way, I could beat this Drug Tzar in a debate any day. For example, he states that cannabis legalization would result in a increase in use. True. HOWEVER, the results would be a net benefit to society because alcohol use would plummet as people switched to cannabis.
If Bayer discovered a new drug that was far safer than Aspirin, had few side effects and no LD-50, do you think they would market it? Of course they would, and it would be a net benefit to society because, while every drug has some adverse effects, we always replace drugs when a safer alternative is discovered…oh, except in the case of cannabis!
I’m surprised that Drug Czar Gil “jack-booted fascist” Kerlikowske actually showed up to speak with the Seattle Times editorial staff. OTOH, I;m not surprised that this “persuasive conversation” wasn’t live-video streamed or a full length video made available on YouTube.
I note that he continues to spew the very same bullshit propaganda about (1) medical marijuana, (2) re-legalization of cannabis & hemp, (3) cannabis as the “gateway” drug, (4) keeping cannabis out of the hands of youngsters, and (5) the end of the war on people/war on drugs.
Hey, Gil, if smoked cannabis is not medically effective, why can it be used to treat Asthma, Bronchitis, Nausea, Pain Relief and Depression?
Hey, Gil, if cannabis is so dangerous, how did the Big Pharma get a Schedule 3 free pass on creating natural cannabis extract medicines?
Hey, Gil, if cannabis is The “gateway” drug of choice, how is it that the abuse of prescription medicines by youngsters become such a hot button issue?
Hey, Gil, if the government really wanted to keep cannabis out of the hands of youngsters, wouldn’t re-legalization, regulation, and taxing cannabis like tobacco or alcohol make more sense?
Hey, Gil, if the war on people/war on drugs had actually ended 2 years ago, then why are people in every state of the union still being arrested and prosecuted by the Federal law enforcement infrastructure?
Drug Czar Gil Kerlikowske is a lying sack of shite. The lies that he continues to spew supports the legalistic position most favorable to the justification for the continued existence of the DEA, and of the greatest financial benefit to those crony corporate interests that have always had a hand in Prohibition 2.0 and the War on Drugs.
Question authority. Especially question the rationale of authority. Follow the money. Our Federal government has become the enemy of We The People. Our Federal government is owned and operated by the crony corporate kleptocrats. It is time, past time for We The People to “hit the streets” …
War is peace. Slavery is freedom. Ignorance is strength. George Orwell’s nightmare social fiction “1984” has become the operations manual for “our” government.
Some of the worst Journalism I have seen. Are all journalists pussies, or just lazy?
Hopefully you’ve all realized that there is a much darker side to all of this. Politics aside, Cannabis has numerous positive affects on health. There is so much data out there on these positive health benefits that I think it should be reclassified from a drug to a vitamin. Have you all seen “Run from the Cure: The Risk Simpson Story”? This man had proof that hash oil cured Cancer, so of course he’s in jail now. I believe that if Cannabis wasn’t so good for you, it would be legal.
The most interesting part of this debate is that local officials and law enforcement as well as federal politicians work for us. Even though I occasionally enjoy breaking our drug laws I have a job and pay taxes so that someone can arrest me for willingly smokin weed instead of drinking beer. I pay your salary either as a law officer or state representative I pay you to arrest me for doing something I enjoy doing. Do I have a right to tell the officer that he is fired if he arrests me for doing something to my body that I choose to do?
We can make a difference if we vote for pro-pot representatives. Should be legalized.
Oddly missing from this “blog” as well comments is the name/word “Obambi” as the main reason for this reasoning. Why: who is in charge here?
The American Drug War is a total failure! It is high time to end the insanity. It’s all about greed, power and control… The government and law enforcement lose more credibility every day that they maintain their irrational, greedy, narrow minded stance against legalization. We The People need to stand up and speak out for full legalization of marijuana and industrial hemp… Marijuana should be legalized for several different, good reasons. We need cannabis hemp for medicine, food, fuel and fiber. Marijuana really is good medicine for many different ailments and lately has been shown effective against cancer. We should stand up for our rights. We should be allowed to light up a joint for relaxation and recreation. What we do in privacy is our own business, not Big Brother’s… No one has ever died from a marijuana overdose; it is not toxic to the human body. Alcohol and tobacco ARE bad for you, and addictive too… but still they are legal. Think about how many people die each year due to alcohol and tobacco use. Cannabis is no more addictive than coffee! Ever wonder why marijuana is illegal? Greed, yellow journalism, racism, outright lies and vicious, misleading propaganda were used by W.R. Hearst, the DuPonts, the Rockefellers and our government to get hemp banned in the first place. They were afraid of the competition then and they still are! The Drug Czar at the time The Marihuana Tax Act was passed, Harry Anslinger, used outright lies, racism and underhanded politics to further the agenda of the Rich and Powerful. Every Drug Czar since then has followed in Anslinger’s footsteps. Nowadays, 18 billion dollars is wasted each year on the American Drug War. Our government forces marijuana prohibition on other nations, causing hardship and increased crime. Want to talk about addiction? Our government is addicted to the profits from the Drug War. It is a sad fact that our own government no longer has the best interests of the American People at heart. The federal government’s insistence that we must not grow hemp because there is no way to discern industrial hemp from marijuana is absurd; they have different growth habits and appearance. Inspectors in other nations which do grow industrial hemp have no problem figuring out the difference. The federal government is admitting to ignorance if they pretend otherwise. Stand up for your rights. The Powers That Be who are pulling the strings that control our federal government are doing everything they can to keep knowledge about the benefits of marijuana and industrial hemp from you because Big Oil, Big Pharma, Big Lumber, Big Law Enforcement, Big Tobacco and Big Alcohol realize their cash cow (the lost Drug War) is at stake. Big Pharma knows marijuana is good medicine but they don”t want you to have it unless they can control it; they’re after the MONEY. But they can’t patent a natural plant. Many medical organizations agree that marijuana is good medicine for a wide variety of ailments. Big Brother knows that legalization would put the power and the money back in the hands of the people and they hate the very thought of that happening. They are quite willing to be heavy handed, to use blackmail and to lie to the American public in order to keep marijuana from being legalized. All those hundreds of thousands of men and women (many of them very young) who have been incarcerated for cannabis should be released so that they can resume their productive lives. Within three or four years, we can be making enough alcohol from hemp to allow us to almost completely quit using gasoline. Fuel prices will go way down. Hemp oil is an excellent lubricant. Big Oil fears cannabis hemp mightily. It will cause them to lose their stranglehold on us and nations of the world. Hemp will grow anywhere, from deserts to mountains to rain forests… It is much better for our environment than other crops, such as cotton and makes much better products. Small farmers will have a way to make a better living. We can stop cutting down our old growth forests. The huge amount of money being made by organized criminals will suddenly be cut off, crime will decrease, Mexico can finally be allowed to legalize. The drug cartels in Mexico will lose 80% of their business overnight. Crime down there will decrease dramatically. Mexico DID LEGALIZE IT a few years back but backed off quickly from that after much pressure was applied by the U.S. government… I could go on and on. If you still are not sure whether cannabis should be legalized, do the right thing, inform yourself; study everything you can find out about it, then you will be convinced that legalization is The Right Thing To Do… God put this herb on the earth for us to use. Let’s use it wisely. Legalize it, regulate it, tax it at a reasonable rate. Keep it illegal for minors, just like alcohol. This new income would provide a much needed boost to our economy. Be wise. Pray about this. Listen to your heart. Then support legalization. Your country needs this. The world needs this. Our damaged environment needs this desperately. Support NORML, The Marijuana Policy Project and other organizations working for legalization. Contact your representatives in the legislature (state and federal) and let them know how you feel. The time to stand up is now. It is no longer a question of IF cannabis will be legalized but when…Big Brother is scared and getting desperate! Thank you for listening.
the late Senator Robert Byrd said it best, just before he died, ” they are following THEIR OWN AGENDA’S. Big Pharma, Big alcohol, Big tobacco, Big oil, Bigger THIEVES and LIARS!
Alcohol is to black and white TV as marijuana is to HD.
Its obvious that there are still too many people with political power making money with the marijuana prohabition. Id say we take a look at the heads of our government and find out WHO is making the most and beat the crap out of them publicly..just a thought.
At least we will get a handle on doctors who are overprescribing prediction drugs. I knew we would nip this problem in the bud.
The ACLU is calling on the DEA to let the Massachusetts University grow marijuana for strictly research purposes, which they’ve been attempting to do for 10 YEARS. The University has since decided to withdraw since the DEA never cooperates. Let’s keep the DEA in the spotlight just like we did Drug Czar Kerlikowske!
ACLU Request to DEA: http://bit.ly/iaHjIM
Clodhopper….Well said!
Whats the big freaking deal bitch? – as said by Carmtan
The Genesist Faith hereby issues an arbitrary order.
FIAT: It is hereby ordered, by a majority of We the People, that government stay, cease, and desist in any further action taken against the use of cannabis as a Sacrament. If such further incessant action occurs, government will bear the full consequences of their disobedience [governmental insubordination]. That is our arrogance – “LET IT BE DONE.”
420 Invasion – 4-20 @ 4:20
If posting is the “best that you can do” – thank you – your effort is well appreciated – and – sometimes the choir needs preaching too. But – if you can “do more” – your job is only half done. If you can “do more” – but – you don’t know “what to do” – April 20, 2011 @4:20 p.m. is your answer.
ON APRIL 20, 2001 AT 4:20 P.M.
You can take yourself – just you – [be the messenger] to your Senator’s or Representative’s office and ask one (1), only one (1) question – then be totally silent until you get it:
ARE YOU GOING TO VOTE YES ON LEGALIZATION?
Then bring their answer to the Genesist Faith so that we can post it. Their answer will determine whether or not they get our vote in 2012. This is not a poll – it will be a definitive factor in the next election.
ACTION SPEAKS LOUDER THAN WORDS – SO – BE ACTIVE.
They [prohibs] can look down their noses at a million protesters, from their windows in Washington D.C. and “laugh” – but – one (1) in their office can be a greater impact – more so than a letter, fax, e-mail or phone call. Physical presence always does the trick – and – if done simultaneously [4-20 @ 4:20] to every Senator or Representative – well – have you ever been chased by a swarm of hornets?
BE THE BUNNY!
I am angry. Angry about how long legalization is taking and angry at how well our enemies are always able to spread their lies. Anybody who watched the Prop 19 debate knows that the press on both sides of the aisle will look for anything to keep Marijuana from being made legal.
I think we need to change the tone of the conversation, and that’s what I’ve been doing with the letters I’ve written to my state reps here in Connecticut. It’s time to change the way we look at this issue.
Talking about kids, about “more people” using etc etc– this all plays right into their hands. The point of view I feel we need to take is this:
We ARE the responsible adult pot smokers. We’re ALREADY pot smokers. Yes, we are breaking the law– but we have gone to great lengths to show we are not a danger. So the direct question to ask is: WHAT DO WE NEED TO DO IN ORDER TO STOP BEING PERSECUTED? Shy of saying “everyone must stop smoking pot”, there is no answer because they don’t UNDERSTAND that this is persecution. They’re more concerned with stopping people from starting than easing off the people who already used. It doesn’t matter– we all need to admit to our love of cannabis and put it to them in those terms:
WE ARE HERE. WE ARE NOT GOING AWAY. WE WILL WORK WITH THE GOVERNMENT TO MAKE THIS HAPPEN. WHAT DO THEY REQUIRE TO CEASE PERSECUTING US?
What a liar. The only thing he got right was that prescription drugs kill. Yeah they kill, thats the whole point of medical marijuana. Its not harmful at all, and actually does work, might i add without side-effects.
Its pretty ridiculous where were @ now, everytime i see laws that criminalize ppl for weed, i lol nd think that one day when kids are learning about a time when ppl got persecuted for weed theyre gonna laugh and say wow they were stupid back then.
Thanks Gil. Because you chose to lie to the American public and spread negative falsehoods about cannabis, I lost my career in the United States Marine Corps for 2 nanograms of THC in my body. My G.I. Bill, retirement, and pride were all stripped, I lost everything. If this is how we treat those who defend us, what do you think the government will do to peace loving civilians?
1979 was 32 years ago, the year I was born, funny to see this drug czar make statements so full of holes and to top it off he cant apply simple arithmatic to his statements.
The history of Marijuana prohibition parallels almost to the “T” with what’s wrong with America. Solve the riddle of why Marijuana is illegal and you may save America from the scrap heap of history.
I confess!!!
If I keep talking – I’ll talk myself into a hole – one I won’t be able to crawl out of. I’ve often been told that my mouth is going to get me in a whole lot of trouble. The only thing is – in the case of cannabis – it’s not idle chatter – it’s as serious as a heart attack. The obvious thing to do – would be to simply shut up. But then – what’s “more important,” the message or the mighty mouth. As I see it – both are equally important to convey “the message.” So! I guess I’ll just stay on the band wagon and bear the consequences [the results of my actions] – whatever they may be – and – from whomever they may come from. I’ve got nothing better to do than to “defend our freedom.”
We talk about recreational use – which is – well! – where it’s at. We talk about medicinal use – which is widely accepted – but – on thin ice with “The Pill.” What we don’t talk enough about is religious use – and – the prohibition of our Sacrament. If anyone seriously wants to protect our Constitution – which is more important than cannabis – religious use is the place to take a stand. Religious use is the most authentic reason to defend the Constitution. Prohibs have attacked, and violated our Constitution. For that they must pay the “most severe penalty provided by law” – and – if they think for a New York minute that they can hide behind the governments skirt – well! – they will soon find out that “prohibiting religious use” is more than they bargained for – “nowhere to run to – nowhere to hide.” I hope these prohibs have enjoyed their stay in D.C. – because – it’s a short stay from here on out. Start packing your bags!
Matt Post #87. Great Post. Warrior #90. Thank you for your service. Every time the government loses a soldier due to throwing him out or making him quit it is our loss. I was a great soldier, 135 GT Score, honest, loyal, patriotic, but chose to use marijuana instead of getting drunk. I could see the writing on the wall and got out. There are millions of marijuana users out in the USA. It’s more than stupidity to exclude them for breaking a bogus law on the use of marijuana. I also had some great buddies that smoked marijuana in the Army. Unfortunately some of them were snitches to win the favor of those higher up the chain of command. The snitches are worse than the marijuana smokers. They have no honor and are hypocrites. The government lied to my father about medical benefits for life. He was a highly decorated hero of WWII and Korea. They lied to me at the recruitment office. They lied to Vietnam Vets about agent orange. They lie about marijuana. I love the USA. I hate those that lie, steal, cheat, and are hypocrites. Good day to all that read or post here.
just because you test positive for thc in your system when driving does not directly mean you are driving high. every drug czar says the same damn thing. and with him visiting the seattle times to talk to their people about the pro pot editorials is rediculous. he has the gall to do so when supreme court allows westboro church to protest soldiers funerals.
EVERY PLACE HAS ONE – THE BULLY ON THE BLOCK!
If Manny 93 – can speak for and of himself [so then] will I. He is my brethren and I will stand with him continually.
Every place has its bully. This does not exclude Washington D.C. So then – it’s my personal opinion that “it’s time’ to throw the bully off the block. Enough said!
What is more beautiful that living on the cusp of legalization? Living during the advent of the internet and being able to watch and read comments from people who are not only getting informed of the truth, but are brave enough to stand up for their belief that a 70 year old prohibition of a plant is unconstitutional and the enforcement of such racially and otherwise biased. It’s even more refreshing to see that people can now hear arguments from Gil and mainstream media and pick out the bits that are true and identify the mass of lies, bias, spin, and bullshit that accompany those bits of truth.
We are truly lucky to live in this time and place. Make the most of it! Share your knowledge and love for marijuana without fear! 😀
Blah, Blah, Blah…..
More fed B.S.
MJ, in the near future, will over come this B.S. and there is no stopping it!
I have to say that Gil Kerlikowske’s arguments were pretty good. There was hardly any reefer madness in them. He does have some misunderstandings about the presence of marijuan-oids (I just made that up) in the system, and some other small things, but overall that makes me very scared of this guy. He’s the rational cool-headed politician that knows how to convince people. Definitely a worthy adversary for this movement and he shouldn’t be ignored or called fanatical, but should be taken very seriously.
at 97 we are truly lucky
Obama inhaled and the rest of us go to prison.
I might imagine that ‘we are at the tip of change, yet, Cannabis is the gateway, that mark in the sand which all the drug warriors fear, when Cannabis become Legal, the door opens, and Prohibitionist finally come to reality.
The War On Drugs is a failed costly experiment, that has destroyed so many good human beings.
Thank You People Of NORML
Free Cannabis
Cannabis is Food
I’m starting to wonder if this guy lied – as much – in Seattle as he has in Washington D.C. After all – he does work for My Evil Brother – “The father of all lies.” Ya know what’s great about this whole thing – “We have the remote control in our hands – and – we can just turn his lying ass off any time we want!”
The reason why they have been saying the war on drugs is overy is because they know they lost it. They know pepply are tird of there lies. And any one that suport cannabis probiton is resbl for all the vilont this probitions brings.
Indeed! its “lost!”
Again, it’s “lost!” Here is a great statistic that comes for the Fed’s. In the last 10 years the U.S. has a %50 reduction in nicotine consumption. Interesting point about this, is, the U.S. didn’t have to arrest one person the achieve this stat. It was achieved through education not incarceration.
Could you imagine with the understanding of what excessive Cheese Burger eating does to our health. If the U.S. Designed a law that all people who eat Cheese Burger’s were to be arrested because it’s not good for us! It’s education folks not Prison, trust me on this one. I have worked in Maximum Security Institutions for over 25+ years.