Citing Failed War on Drugs, Former Seattle Police Chief Calls For Legalization of Marijuana and All Drugs

With the Obama administration’s increasing focus on drug-related violence in Mexico, calls to rethink how the US has fought the so-called “war on drugs” are growing louder. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton acknowledged last week that “what we’ve been doing has not worked.” But advocates of legalizing and regulating marijuana were dealt a blow when President Obama laughed off their question during the President’s first live internet town hall on Thursday.

My next guest knows what its like to be on the frontlines of fighting the war on drugs in this country and doesn’t think marijuana is a laughing matter. Norm Stamper is a 34-year police officer who retired as Seattle’s chief of police in 2000. His successor Gil Kerlikowske has just been nominated to be President Obama’s drug czar. But Norm Stamper supports legalization. He is an advisory board member of The National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML) and a speaker for the 10,000 member Law Enforcement Against Prohibition. Norm Stamper is the author of “Breaking Rank: A Top Cop’s Exposé of the Dark Side of American Policing” and he joins us now via video stream.

Norm Stamper, Former Seattle Police Chief. He is an advisory board member of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML) and a speaker for Law Enforcement Against Prohibition. He is the author of “Breaking Rank: A Top Cop’s Exposé of the Dark Side of American Policing.”

Related Links

• NormStamper.com

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