More than 74,000 people signed the White House petition, "Legalize and Regulate Marijuana." The official response from Drug Czar Gil Kerlikowske, posted Oct. 28, is predictably negative.

"Legalizing marijuana would not provide the answer to any of the health, social, youth education, criminal justice, and community quality of life challenges associated with drug use," writes Kerlikowske (left), adding that "marijuana use is associated with addiction, respiratory disease and cognitive impairment."

NORML's Russ Belville debunks Kerlikowske's comments, stating: "The government response repeats the same tired lies and classic misdirections. Most of all, it fails to answer NORML’s actual petition. Thank you for wasting America’s time."

The DPA's Ethan Nadelmann tweeted: "Drug czar Kerlikowske's comments on marijuana legalization are remarkably disingenuous. No mention by him of marijuana prohibition, 750,000-plus arrests, DEA and other obstacles to research, or relative safety of marijuana..."

LEAP's Neill Franklin says, "It's maddening that the administration wants to continue failed prohibition polices that do nothing to reduce drug use and succeed only in funneling billions of dollars into the pockets of the cartels and gangs that control the illegal market."

Phil Smith at Stop the Drug War takes a more measured approach, pointing out that "the official response from drug czar Kerlikowske is certain to disappoint and infuriate marijuana legalization supporters and drug reformers, but should come as little surprise... given that the person chosen to deliver the response is mandated by law to oppose legalization."

A majority of Americans now support marijuana legalization.

Also see:
ONDCP Drug Control Strategy 2011
Gil Kerlikowske's Reefer Madness
Kerlikowske: Marijuana Is Dangerous
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