Cato's Mission

The mission of the Cato Institute is to increase the understanding of public policies based on the principles of limited government, free markets, individual liberty, and peace. The Institute will use the most effective means to originate, advocate, promote, and disseminate applicable policy proposals that create free, open, and civil societies in the United States and throughout the world.

To maintain independence and integrity the Cato Institute accepts no government funding, and is a non profit public policy research foundation. Started in 1977 Cato delivers a wide range of publications on social issues. Visit there about page for more info.

Cato sponsored the Glenn Greenwald investigation into Portugal's decriminalization framework I mentioned last post. The libertarian think tank offers their opinions on issues in a handbook for policymakers. Check out the chapter dealing with the war on drugs. Below is an excerpt describing the handbook.

Now in its seventh edition, the Cato Handbook for Policymakers sets the standard in Washington for real cuts in federal spending, taxes, and power. It offers an issue-by-issue detailed blueprint for reducing the federal government to the limits intended by the Founding Fathers.

I decided there were a few other TIME articles I wanted to point out. From 1968 "Pot: Safer than Alcohol" to neurosurgeon Sanjay Gupta's recent opinion. In 2006 Dr. Scott Haig wrote "Why I'm Not Against, Like, Oh Wow man, Pot".

"I Smoke Pot, and I like it" is an admission Will Wilkinson from the Cato Institute is willing to make. He stresses the importance of making America realize that millions of everyday people just like them are regular marijuana users. He ends the article with this.

If we're to begin to roll back our stupid and deadly drug war, the stigma of responsible drug use has got to end, and marijuana is the best place to start. The super-savvy Barack Obama managed to turn a buck by coming out of the cannabis (and cocaine) closet in a bestselling memoir. That's progress. But his admission came with the politicians' caveat of regret. We'll make real progress when solid, upstanding folk come out of the cannabis closet, heads held high.

So here we go. My name is Will Wilkinson. I smoke marijuana, and I like it.