Drug Czar Supports Decriminalization -- In Mexico

Dealing with White House drug czar John Walters increasingly feels like a trip into some sort of alternate universe. Last week he told The New York Times that he supports a Mexican government proposal to decriminalize possession of small amounts of marijuana or other illicit drugs. 

How shocking is that? Well, in a March 19, 2008, press release, deputy drug czar Scott Burns called a New Hampshire proposal to impose a $200 fine rather than jail time for possession of a small amount of marijuana "a dangerous first step toward complete drug legalization."

Mexican President Felipe Calderón's proposal is much more sweeping than the New Hampshire bill, applying not only to marijuana, but also to drugs like cocaine, heroin, and meth. And there would be no fine at all, just drug treatment for those who are addicted or drug education for those who aren't. And yet our drug czar told The Times, "I don’t think that's legalization."

Hypocrisy, thy name is John P. Walters.