What's Sen. Kerry's position on marijuana decriminalization?

[wtmusic]

Asking Kerry supporters with no flame whatsoever (he's my number two man). But in a Dec. Rolling Stone interview:

Would you favor decriminalization?

"No, not quite. What we did in the prosecutor's office was have a sort of unspoken approach to marijuana that was almost effectively decriminalization. We just didn't bother with small-time use. It doesn't rise to the level of nuisance, even. And what we were after was people dealing with heroin and destroying lives, and people who were killing people. That's where you need to focus."

http://www.rollingstone.com/features/nationalaffairs/featuregen.asp?pid=2454

Compared to this statement on his website:

"In order to deal with the problem of illegal drugs in this country, efforts must be focused on keeping drugs out of the country and our communities, as well as reducing demand for illegal drugs."

http://www.johnkerry.com/issues/crime/

So should pot be illegal or not? Is he advocating non-enforcement?

[hellhathnofury]

1. Would you like another waffle?

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

2. I think the campaign site is a very broad statement

I'm certainly NOT for legalizing heroin and cocaine...I also think one must distinguish between the user (decriminalize and treat) and the DEALER (criminalize...drug money is turned into arms)

Drugs and pot are not the same thing..I think if one asked Kerry he would respond in kind as to the distinction.

[wtmusic]

3. But specifically is he for legalizing pot?

I don't see a clear stand on the issue.

[Feanorcurufinwe]

4. His record is good.

He received a good grade recently from this medical marijuana group. I was first attracted to him by an eloquent and politically incorrect speech on the Senate floor in the early 90s against mandatory minimum sentencing. If he does believe in non-enforcement, or indeed if any of our candidates held what I think of as such a sensible view, I hope they don't make it a big issue. Maybe in 2008 in the reelection campaign we can bring up that kind of stuff...

[wtmusic]

5. How can non-enforcement possibly be viewed as sensible?

The message is: "We've created this law, but don't abide by it."

WTF? To me, that says, "I don't have the guts to stand up and support decriminalization, so we'll just have this little agreement on this one law, OK?"

To take that approach as a DA is one thing; as a policy maker it's totally different.

[Feanorcurufinwe]

9. Look, you are the one who is speculating that it is his policy

based on what he said he did as DA. Now you are criticizing him by saying it was acceptable as a DA but not as policy.

I mean what's your point anyway? Is this a reason for people to not to vote for Kerry in your mind? Who, pot smokers? People who are against pot smoking? Dean is the most rabid drug warrior of our candidates.

[wtmusic]

10. That's right

It is acceptable as a DA. If you are in law enforcement it's always a choice whether to enforce the law or not, and it's a good thing. But to make a law and not support it publicly? That just seems very cheesey/waffley/noncommittal, and touches on issues of character, frankly.

Ending by saying, I'm not sure he doesn't have a stand. Actually, I hope he does.

[Feanorcurufinwe]

11. Who 'made a law and is not supporting it publicly'?

Hasn't pot been illegal since the thirties? What did Kerry have to do with making that law?


And as far as the enforcement thing, Kerry and the others are running for President. The Executive branch, not the legislative branch. The President is the boss of the FBI, the DEA, the Justice Dept. If the President tells all of those folks "we going to stop putting resources into marijuana investigations and prosecutions, and focus on coke, heroin, whatever", how is that different than a DA doing something similar. It's bigger, more sweeping, with more impact, but it's basically the same thing.

[wtmusic]

12. Kerry didn't make the law

but if he's president and a decriminalization bill comes up he will either veto it or not. It's a valid question.

[sandnsea]

14. Oh god no

His point is that he thinks possession is a silly law. So why wouldn't he decriminalize it if Congress voted to do that?

Enforcing law is actually choices. You can't enforce every single law, we don't have the manpower. So even the United States Attorney General chooses. In a Kerry Administration, they wouldn't choose to go after pot users. And he's also said he'd put a moratorium on medical marijuana arrests.

He's basically a practical person. There's important things and not important things. I kind of get the impression that's his view on race, gays, women, whatever. Life is too short and it's just too stupid to waste your time with all this petty squabbling. Every day is extra, everybody should live life to the fullest.

[nightperson]

6. Well,

in my short history on this board, (correct me if I'm wrong) I've only seen myself and a few Kucinich supporters express concern about Tommy Chong. :shrug: It's a sad story but I haven't seen Dean or his supporters touch it.

[hellhathnofury]

7. I care dearly about Tommy Chong, fucking Ashcrapft

[wtmusic]

8. I'll touch it *ouch, it's hot!*

It's a travesty. The whole 'paraphernalia' issue is another topic, but if that's what the DOJ is spending their resources on there is something very, very wrong (but I knew that) :(

[Paragon]

13. He did make the "toke" signal while singing with Peter Yarrow

"Puff, the Magic Dragon", indeed. ;)