cannabisnews.com: Kerlikowske Seen as a Progressive





Kerlikowske Seen as a Progressive
Posted by CN Staff on February 12, 2009 at 06:09:10 PT
By Vanessa Ho and Scott Gutierrez, P-I Reporters
Source: Seattle Post-Intelligencer 
Seattle, WA -- Gil Kerlikowske remained silent for a second day on his appointment as the nation's drug czar, but his track record in Seattle -- a city known for its progressive drug stances -- offered a hint at how the Obama administration might wage the drug war.No official word came from the White House on Wednesday on Kerlikowske, who, if confirmed by the Senate, could become the new director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy.
A source in Washington, D.C., confirmed that Kerlikowske had been chosen for the post, but that paperwork making the nomination official had not yet been filed.Many people, including those traditionally at odds with government policies, were "cautiously optimistic" about Kerlikowske, who became police chief in 2000."He's likely to be the best drug czar we've seen, but that's not saying much," said Ethan Nadelmann, executive director of the Drug Policy Alliance, a national nonprofit group focused on changing drug policies.Nadelmann called Kerlikowske, 59, a "blank slate" because of his notable absence in drug-policy debates. But he was encouraged by the chief's ability to thrive in a city famous for its drug courts, needle exchanges, methadone vans and annual Hempfest celebration."At least we know that when we talk about needle exchanges and decriminalizing marijuana arrests, it's not going to be the first time he's heard about them," he said.Many local people expected that Kerlikowske would be chosen for a federal post, but were surprised by this appointment, saying he rarely speaks on drug enforcement, unlike his platforms on gun control and community policing.But last fall, they said, Kerlikowske began working on drug-policy reforms for street users in certain neighborhoods.He recently gave his blessing to a pilot program in drug-plagued Belltown for officers to send drug users to treatment or job centers instead of jail. He gave his support to similar programs already operating in Rainier Beach and Madison Valley."I would imagine that being a chief law-enforcement officer makes it very difficult for someone to speak out in favor of more-progressive drug laws and drug policies," Alison Holcomb, the drug policy director for the ACLU of Washington, said."I also think his actions speak louder than words."One of those actions is Kerlikowske's participation on an executive committee that oversees King County Drug Court, which dismisses charges against a defendant who completes treatment. The chief has also dedicated an officer full time to work on drug court cases.A 1998 state law allows debilitated and terminally ill patients to use medical marijuana, but gives police departments wide latitude in whether to make an arrest.Despite that, Holcomb said Kerlikowske's officers have "demonstrated compassion" in not arresting known growers and users in medical marijuana cases.She also said his officers are respectful and tolerant when they patrol Hempfest, the city's annual celebration of drug-law reforms.Seattle City Councilman Nick Licata, a former chairman of the Public Safety Committee, said Kerlikowske would be an ideal drug czar. Snipped   Complete Article: http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/399760_kerlikowske12.htmlSource: Seattle Post-Intelligencer (WA)Author: Vanessa Ho and Scott Gutierrez, P-I ReportersPublished: February 11, 2009Copyright: 2009 Seattle Post-IntelligencerContact: editpage seattlepi.comWebsite: http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/Related Articles:Obama Taps Police Chief for Administration Jobhttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread24476.shtmlObama's Marijuana Prohibition Acid Testhttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread24426.shtml
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Comment #17 posted by fight_4_freedom on February 12, 2009 at 14:20:04 PT
Funny Story BGreen
And we all know the scent of bong water is not the greatest of smells. I bet you had an extreme urge to laugh when that happened.I don't think I would be able to control myself in that situation.Thanks for the story.
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Comment #16 posted by Hope on February 12, 2009 at 14:16:33 PT
A plastic fern.
I remember plastic ferns! That was a long time ago!Sounds so right for Texas then, though. The poke salad bust was back about then, too. 
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Comment #15 posted by Hope on February 12, 2009 at 14:14:05 PT
I would have sworn you were relaying
a message from Bro. Ray.*sigh*Maybe, I'm high as a kite on chocolate Valentine candy. I couldn't resist it any longer. I admit it. I got into the valentine's day candy a few minutes ago. I thought I would wait until Valentine's Day... but I didn't.:0)That's a funny bong water story...whoever it happened to. Bro. Bud?
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Comment #14 posted by Hope on February 12, 2009 at 14:09:48 PT
Now I'm confused.
Bud or Ray? Or what? Or who?
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Comment #13 posted by Hope on February 12, 2009 at 14:08:53 PT
Lol!
Bro., the Rev. Ray Green, I see, has been to Texas.Not a singular incident... or type of incident, sad to say. People have been arrested around here for gathering poke salad greens.Revenge of the Bong water. That's good.It's bad to smoke pot in Texas. Really, really bad in some areas. As bad as they can make it.
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Comment #12 posted by BGreen on February 12, 2009 at 13:35:29 PT
Revenge of the Bong!
Nearly three decades ago in a little town outside of San Antonio, TX called Converse, a police detective illegally entered my house during band practice along with the fire chief for an inspection of our fireplace, and arrested us all for a pack of Joker cigarette papers left by a friend and a plastic fern over the fireplace that the fool apparently thought was a cannabis plant.Long story short, we all got released with tickets for paraphernalia and the Dick who arrested us spilled bong water from my bong all over his pants and shoes. ROTFLMAO!!!!!!!I bet you that there's still the smell of bong water marinated pork wafting over the Converse, TX area. LOLThe Reverend Bud Green
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Comment #11 posted by Hope on February 12, 2009 at 12:44:57 PT
In that county alone
and with all the alumni of that school... there could be a sizable number of people present themselves to the sheriff for arrest.It could go something like, "I don't have a photograph, but I might could round up some witnesses, but I know I smoked a little marijuana at a party, off campus, but in the county, sometime around May of 1973. Oh yes, and I could narc on a guy that had a bong, in a dorm even, in 72. No I see him. He's turning himself in, too."It could even be named the "Take me, too." campaign for reform of cannabis laws.
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Comment #10 posted by fight_4_freedom on February 12, 2009 at 12:40:28 PT
Off-Topic
Here's some Off-Topic Music on my day off.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=olH3LN3ugZo
Kid Rock- All Summer Longhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BamGjJhPF10
Kid Rock- Roll Onhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HIZ1zSM9eaM
Kid Rock- Amen
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Comment #9 posted by Hope on February 12, 2009 at 12:37:01 PT
Maybe
just everyone who ever hit a bong or whatever in that county, even if it was thirty years ago.It would make the news probably.
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Comment #8 posted by Hope on February 12, 2009 at 12:21:23 PT
Thinking about the Phelps debacle and arrests.
Maybe this is the time for anyone who is famous or would be heard, who ever, ever used any cannabis... or even pretended to... like "I didn't inhale" Clinton, and didn't get photographed or arrested, to step up and say, "Take me, too".Starting with Obama, maybe.
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Comment #7 posted by Hope on February 12, 2009 at 11:27:54 PT
Mydnytmover Comment 4
Amazing picture that will grace many desktops I'm sure, on that page.
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Comment #6 posted by FoM on February 12, 2009 at 10:37:16 PT
Obama Administration Selects 'Drug Czar'
February 12, 2009From White House Correspondent Suzanne Malveaux and Producer Xuan Thai.WASHINGTON (CNN) — The Obama administration has offered the position of "drug czar” to Seattle Police Chief Gil Kerlikowske, a senior administration official confirmed to CNN Thursday. Kerlikowske has accepted the nomination for the cabinet-level post, formally known as Director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy, the official said. His nomination is subject to Senate confirmation.Kerlikowske, 59, is a military veteran with 36 years of law enforcement experience. The "drug czar" oversees an agency that sets the country's drug-control strategy.http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2009/02/12/obama-administration-selects-drug-czar/
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Comment #5 posted by FoM on February 12, 2009 at 08:32:19 PT
mydnytmover
I am so hopeful that because of our new administration countries will speak their mind and not be afraid. Get rid of fear and change just might happen.
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Comment #4 posted by mydnytmover on February 12, 2009 at 08:28:48 PT
Ex-presidents of Latin America urge legal marijuan
http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/americas/02/11/brazil.marijuana/index.html
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Comment #3 posted by afterburner on February 12, 2009 at 07:32:54 PT
OT: What Is the Solution?
Marijuana or booze? Restaurant must decide
http://www.thestar.com/News/GTA/article/585012
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Comment #2 posted by FoM on February 12, 2009 at 06:37:27 PT
Sam
I thought and thought who could have been a better pick for drug czar and no one came to mind. Not because of Gil Kerlikowske but because of the very liberal city Seattle that he policed. Maybe someday we won't need a drug czar's office but for now I couldn't be prouder of Obama's pick. 
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Comment #1 posted by Sam Adams on February 12, 2009 at 06:23:30 PT
obama & drug czar
OK, great we got a guy from Seattle instead of some southern red-state hellhole.The very idea that the ONDCP - a billion-dollar office of national propaganda and bigotry - even exists is a shameful insult to the idea of a free country & open society.
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