Kerlikowske’s Son On Parole for Marijuana Offenses
March 11, 2009 at 12:45 pm Leave a comment
According to the Seattle Times, Seattle police chief Gil Kerlikowske (who is expected to be named ‘Drug Czar’) has a son whose criminal record includes marijuana offenses (both possession and dealing).
Should we care? Not in itself. Jeffery Kerlikowske is a son from a previous marriage (the closeness of their relationship is ambiguous from the article), and it does not necessarily indicate anything about his father’s views on drug policy.
Still, the most telling part of the article is this quotation:
“Our nation’s drug problem is one of human suffering,” according to [Kerlikowske's] prepared remarks. “As a police officer, but also in my own family, I have experienced firsthand the devastating effects that drugs can have on our youth, our families and our communities.”
Clearly, he understands the impact that drug policy has on families – and clearly, this is important to him. This means that we can (and must) drive home the fact that criminalization of marijuana harms families. And, given the personal connection, that shouldn’t be hard to do.
I’m still a bit cautions before saying that I approve of the adminstration’s choice of Kerlikowske. But, from the looks of it, he sure seems more promising than John Walters, for what that’s worth.
Entry filed under: Uncategorized. Tags: DEA, drug czar, Gil Kerlikowske, Kerlikowske, marijuana, Seattle, Seattle Times.
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