Calif. Gov Candidate Gavin Newsom Calls Drug War a Failure
Current San Francisco mayor and candidate for the Democratic nomination to be California's next governor Gavin Newsom held an online town hall meeting on Tuesday, taking questions from viewers via Facebook.
One question focused on the "war on drugs" and marijuana decriminalization. Mayor Newsom took the opportunity to reiterate his longstanding opposition to punitive drug policies,
stating, "I really feel strongly about the drug war being an abject
failure. If you can point to huge evidence that drug polices in this
country have worked, I'd love to see that evidence." The mayor wrapped
up by saying, "Low-level marijuana possession, with all due respect to
those that will use this video to attack me, is not a top priority for
my current job and role as mayor and hasn't been, nor would it be as
governor."
The discussion begins at about 30 seconds in to this clip here:
We at LEAP have seen how the public is more than ready for straight-talking politicians who aren't needlessly afraid of pushing for reform. We don't doubt at all that this will be a benefit -- and do no harm whatsoever -- to Newsom's campaign. Especially since 56 percent of California voters support fully legalizing, regulating and taxing marijuana sales.
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We need a politician like Gavin Newsom in the UK.
Keep up the good work Gavin !
LEAP, over the years, has supplied me with startling information, and I can honestly say that the Drug War is as un-american, treasonous, costly and corrupt a policy that we have ever had. This really isn't a statement of opinion, but a recognition of the facts.
Though one video is hardly the basis for judging an individuals political record I have to say that I like this fellow.
Of course I'm stuck all the way on the other side of the country where our own gubernatorial campaign seems to be between jerk A and jerk B
It underlines the prevailing thought in California.
The plural of 'anecdote' is not 'data'.
Legalization is very popular in California... I would be very surprised if either major party put forth a candidate that would speak against it.
If a candidate didn't try to please everyone. That would actually be a refreshing change .
The laws will change. The momentum is building and nothing short of a Ca. Constitution amendment will stop it. This won't happen, though, because only a ballot measure can change the constitution here.
The plural of 'anecdote' is not 'data'.
linked to IQ levels. Makes me laugh.
That a higher IQ leads to a stronger morality?
have started pushing homosexual agendas the student IQ's have dropped grossly. You wonder when will they learn? California and Newsome are as much of a good marriage as Namble and ACLU!
Then why does Massachusetts have such a high average IQ (estimated at 111 in 2004)?