Drug Czar Kerlikowske on His Way Out \n""This morning, President Obama nominated Gil Kerlikowske, the director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy, to be the Customs Commissioner. \nKerlikowske has been an unimaginative drug czar, often invisible. Having come from Seattle, Washington where he had been police chief, he was shrouded with hope that he would have enlightened views about harm reduction and marijuana use and enforcement. Those hopes were soon dashed. His office has accomplished little and his public statements have been uninspiring. He demonstrated no ability to influence the federal bureaucracy, and left ONDCP irrelevant in national drug policy efforts. ONDCP's role in forums of the United Nations, such as the Commission on Narcotic Drugs, has been to stifle adoption of harm reduction, a singularly backward approach. His departure is good news for drug policy but bad news for the Department of Homeland Security and people who care about Customs enforcement. \nOnce again, Obama has an opportunity to reshape drug policy. Perhaps he could nominateU.S. Rep. Bobby Scott (D-VA), a leader in drug policy and criminal justice policy reform in Congress; Peter Beilenson, M.D. (CEO of Evergreen Health Co-Op; former Howard County, MD health commissioner, and former health commissioner under Baltimore Mayor Kurt Schmoke); or U.S. Rep. Jared Polis (D-CO) who also served for six years on the Colorado State Board of Education, including serving as Chairman. These men would bring a long missing sophisticated vision of drug policy to the White House. "snip" \nWho the President recommends could be a barometer towards reform,,if he appoints anyone.
Somehow, I feel these two positions are probably very similar. The cartels have to get their shit here somehow. Seatlle is a big shipping port. Hmmmm....Who better to turn a blind eye? This is a reward, not a demotion. He's "proven" himself. All things pot are under attack under his "do-nothing" approach (and a big F-you to communist rag Huff Post for suggesting he's inept.) The global landscape of cannabis production to be used by big pharma needs someone to oversee it all. Gil is their man.
Gil probably oversaw the shipments coming in from Afghanistan when he was in the large sea port of Seattle. Direct route into the country. He's getting his just "rewards" now. Fits right in with Holder and friends.
Why? Washington has already set up a plan that has plenty of opportunity for trouble and a good chance of failure. So long Kerli.....next?
Head of all things that come and go into and out of this nation is "see ya?" Hardly. More like he has ARRIVED.
In reference to ONDCP and any interference he may cause to a "closed system" system in WA, yes. You just said it - into and out of the country.
What he's trying to say is good 'ol Gil will be in charge of goods flowing into and out of the COUNTRY not goods sold in state, like for example, recreational cannabis. Sent from my HTC VLE_U using Grasscity Forum mobile app
Gil & Co. aren't in this for recreational. Pharma. Produced in S. America. Exported to wherever to be made into pharma, imported into U.S. & elsewhere to be sold at dizzying profit margins. Barry and Gil already said legalization is not in their lexicon. Not in the sense Americans are demanding. I believe them and take them at their word. Only on this.