Obama Drug Reform: A Troubling Sign
November 17th, 2008 by Alex
Jacob Sullum, from Reason Magazine, wrote an extremely insightful article on the possibilities of drug reform in the Obama era.
We’ve already documented Obama’s vague positions since becoming a major party candidate, but Jacob takes the topic a step further.
Beyond nitpicking the meaning of ‘decriminalization’ or the potential to follow in Bill Clinton’s footprints, it should be noted that Obama’s new Chief of Staff – Rahm Emanuel – is a staunch anti-drug crusader.
His quotes on drug reform sound more like a military commander than a former Democratic representative. It should be noted, while Emanuel was in office, NORML rated him as a -20. That’s right in the middle of NORML’s -10 to -30 rating for “hard on drugs.”
Although a Chief of Staff doesn’t directly affect policy (his main duty is to co-ordinate and support the President at the highest level of executive interactions), it’s still worrisome to know someone so militant about drug reform will have Obama’s ear.
