Maddow Lends Eye And Insight To Drug Policy Issues

Last night's Meghan McCain interview ended up being the Rachel Maddow Show's most talked-about segment, but Media Monitor Eric Friedman notes that attention should be paid to Maddow's segment on President Barack Obama's choice for Drug Czar, Seattle Police Chief Gil Kerlikowske. Along with the Marijuana Policy Project's Bruce Mirken, Maddow vets the pick, explores the differences between him and his Bush Administration predecessor, and unpacks a ranging discussion on drug control policy. It's a good example of Maddow lending some time and effort to a topic that is critically under-discussed considering how often the issues of drugs, addiction, and criminal/legal policy intersect with the lives of ordinary people.

I'd also point out that Kerlikowske has a stepson who has a record of several arrests on drug-related charges. This news is typically presented as an irony, or as something "unfavorable." Maddow is one of the few media figures to suggest that Kerlikowske's own experiences in this matter may actually lend the man critical insight.

I'm not sure that titling the segment "Joint Chief" did a lot for reflecting the quality of the discussion, however.

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Comments

[Keithj726]

I think Obama should not laught about the legalization of Marijauna. I not only voted for him but I even call my congressmen and go above and beyond to support him. There are a lot of peoples live that are affected in a negitive way because people like him think it is a joke to legalize marijauna . How about the people patrolling the border ?I just heard they killed another U.S. marshall . I know the mojority of people in CA would like to see it legal and these are the people that rally for president Obama . So for him to act like that is not something that is on our minds will not get him more support. If it wasn't so many people would not have brought it up... and no I do not smoke the stuff myself!

[larmarch5]

Grass Roots! Time for this group to come out of the closet. Drug users and smokers are everywhere and they need to stand up and say their drugs of choice should be as legal as alcohol, tobacco and phamraceuticals. Drugs do not destroy lives; arrests, gang wars, and lack of treatment facilities for abusers destroy lives.

[Jeffreygeez]

As the man said, as long as there is a tobaco and alcohol business there will be no legalizing of drugs. They ,they being big tobacco and big alcohol have the drug market covered and are not going to allow any competition in. The illegal drug trade finances the wars against us, we buy the drugs from our enemies. The demand is there hence the supply. If you cannot stop the demand or the supply then you need to figure out how to make the money stay in our country. The drug war cannot be won against alcohol, tobaco,marijuana, cocaine, or heroin . Too much demand is there for all these drugs.We are fighting ourselves. Remember the lessons of prohibition. No alcohol? Now there is alcohol, why because it is good for your health? The greatest drug dealer: Sir Walter Raleigh. Addicted the world to nicotine. $$$$$$$

[Dolmance]

Maybe all the politicians who support the Drug War and who ever smoked a joint or took a hit of coke should show a little integrity - and demand they be arrested and then plead guilty to having broken the nation's drug laws. Then of course they'd have to give up their seat in government along with their right to vote and go straight to jail, just like everyone else who actually gets caught. That would include Bill Clinton, the governor of California, Little Bush and maybe Barrack Obama, though I'm not sure he's really for the Drug War at all.

[JustAThought56]

You would have to include too many people in the government for that to be practical. President Obama admitted to trying cocaine in his autobiography.

The interview was excellent but did not comment enough on the mistaken belief that we can arrest our way out of this. We have by far the largest percent of our population in jails - 2.3 million people - a quarter of the globe's entire prison population, yet our population size is only 5% of the world's population.

The Republican policies of being "hard on crime" their "war on drugs" and their removal of the social services safety net cost this country hundreds of billions of dollars both directly and indirectly.

It costs incredible amounts to maintain, and the bulk are there for minor offenses or for being mentally ill. Yes, the LA County prison system is the largest provider of mental health services in the country.

Elected judges put people in jail where they can't work and pay taxes. When released, they have a much harder time getting jobs.

Elected officers like Sheriff Joe in Maricopa County, AZ costs his county millions in lawsuits for cruel and inhumane treatment that results in illness and death, and has actually caused an increase in crime.

"Small government" has led to privatizing the jail system and the kind of horrors we saw in Pennsylvania juvenile courts. This goes on all over the country.

It is common sense to say "this is broken. We need to fix it."

[derekbill]

I wonder what percentage of those in prison for drug-related offenses would vote for a party or candidate freeing them (along with the pardon that would presumably restore their right to vote).

[Yarrr]

Pot will never be legalized, because it represents a threat to the extremely powerful tobacco, alcohol, and pharma industries.

One of the big reasons we're screwed as a country; we've let special interests get far too influential.

[RightWingMarine]

I will agree that drugs should be legalized because I believe that adults should be free to decide for themselves what they will and will not ingest. When prohibitionists were advocating their views it required a Constitutional amendment. Back then the people understood that the powers of Congress were limited and the Congress didn't yet have the authority to tell people they couldn't drink alcohol. With our new living and breathing Constitution using the general welfare clause in ways the framers never intended our Congress has banned various drugs. This should be a state decision, not a federal one.

Maddow made the quip that the previous drug czar saw marijuana as similar to medical crack. Actually marijuana was and is a schedule 1 drug meaning in the eyes of the fed govt it has no medicinal value. Cocaine is a schedule 2 meaning it has medical utility. The former czar gave MJ more credit than the govt does officially. Maddow pointed this out as ridicule though I suspect she knows better.

[JustAThought56]

This is the widely publicized comment about medical marijuana use made by John Walter's that she was referring to.

"Nobody says I need medicinal meth, medicinal crack, medical Jack Daniels. The fact of the matter is, and we have to have compassion for the sick and dying, but Prop. 215 is being used to suggest marijuana is good for you."

He also said, about medical marijuana use, that

"People use it and feel better, that doesn't make it medicine," Walters said. "You would feel better if you used meth, crack or heroin. There's a difference between medical practice and intoxication."

Cocaine has an acknowledged medicinal application as does a wide range of opiates (heroin) and stimulants (meth). Like many law enforcement officials, he makes an artificial distinction between cocaine and crack cocaine.

Lumping marijuana in with these other drugs doesn't fit the paradigm. We in fact DO use medical versions of crack, heroin and meth. Why not marijuana?

I believe her point is that Walters sees medical marijuana use as being completely illegitimate, compares it to medical use of other drugs that are not legal, without acknowledging that in fact there are medicinal applications for all of the medical classes of drugs he mentioned - except marijuana, which he has irrationally singled out for opposition.

[struwwwel]

Joint Chief?

As the singing goes:
Don't Bogart that joint, my friend, pass it over to me ;-) LOL

[Emerald1943]

Eere! LOL!

[just4shiggles]

Rachel said it all so very well last night on her show. Her comment about how well it worked for the Bush administration and everyone stopped smoking pot during his time in office. She's so funny and she has such a cute way to make her points! As I'm reading this today I'm listening to the news, they are talking about how Kellogg has had to donate all of the cereal boxes with Michael Phelps picture on the front to the needy. It's just insane that this country has to be so silly about the use of pot even for recreational use. At least they didn't just throw out the cereal and it will feed some hungry people who need it, but after Michael did so well in the competitions it seems silly that he is being looked at like some sort of loser now just because he smoked a little weed.

[alanearth]

Pot should be legalized, it's much safer than alcohol. Not to mention having thousands of people in jail for this ridiculous policy.

[petphotos]

Great lady. Great show.

[brandnewstuff]

I could get a script for medical mj-- I have arthrtis in my feet and nerve damage in my body- and it is more safe than Narcos-which give painful headaches- I did smoke and the risk to high for trouble but GD it helped and I could do more without being in dire pain and forget the pain- Pain everytime I place my body weight on my feet

So I guess the day I am in a wheelchair- I wil smoke EVERDAY to trying to get over the mental and emotional pains not being able to walk one day-

I hate Rethugs.

[stevebest]

maybe you should look into a vaporizer and skip the risks of smoking

http://img11.imageshack.us/img11/4459/pict0003r.jpg

[stevebest]

i am sorry that is the wrong link
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a9luNVYlT_E

[brandnewstuff]

I an hooked on RM - she is awesome in candor-

[christopherflynn]

Rachel...always a breath of fresh air, and likewise with her guest...

[stevebest]

Thank you Rachel, i saw the peice when it aired and we cheered outloud. with 750,000 people in jail for nonviolent marijuana use all i can add is LET MY PEOPLE GO. It just makes sence that if we want to unite the county we need to resolve the war on drugs.