Legalization: Responding to LEAP, Obama Says Legalizing Marijuana and Other Drugs a "Legitimate Topic for Debate" (Press Release)

The President makes it official. We can debate legalization. We didn't need his permission. (He's following President Calderon of Mexico, who gave Mexicans permission last summer.) The question is whether he and his administration are going to participate in the debate that has been going on for some time or misrepresent and denigrate it, as "drug czar" Gil Kerlikowski and Secretary of State Clinton did again this week.

Law Enforcement Against Prohibition: Responding to LEAP, Obama Says Legalizing Marijuana and Other Drugs a "Legitimate Topic for Debate": "Today, in response to a video question from a former deputy sheriff about whether it is time to discuss legalizing and regulating drugs in light of the failure of the 'war on drugs,' President Barack Obama said that it is 'an entirely legitimate topic for debate' but that he is not in favor of legalization.

The President then went on to say that he sees drug abuse as a public health issue and that a shifting of resources is required, away from the traditional approach of incarcerating nonviolent drug offenders."