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.

Big Media Musings

I thought it would be interesting to gage the media's stance regarding marijuana. Concentrating on mainstream publications that are well known. Using links from; metro newspapers, magazines, major news sites and video from TV networks.

In March of this year CNN's Jack Cafferty asked, "Time for US to legalize drugs", on his blog. Cafferty sounds off hourly on the "Situation Room", a weekday afternoon program on CNN. This topic is still on his radar, and was the subject of his blog post yesterday as well.

This article from the San Francisco Chronicle regarding Governor Schwarzeneggers recent comments provides a skeptical view. In the heartland of the country, the Kansas City Star had this interesting perspective that was a little different.


I believe TIME magazine's website offers some of the best commentary regarding the "war on drugs". Searching "marijuana" yields 1455 articles and a 2002 cover. That November issue had two long feature articles, click the cover to your left for one and "The New Politics of Pot" for the other piece.

Ranging back to 1968 "The Morality of Marijuana" was questioned. In April of this year, Joe Klein wrote "Why Legalizing Marijuana Makes Sense".

TIME expresses their concern regarding the recent problems with Mexican drug cartels and the carnage around the US border. They also have chronicled the lighter side of the battle in "The Grass-Roots Marijuana Wars".

"Drugs in Portugal: Did Decriminalization Work?" was published by TIME in April 2009. It investigates a report written by Glenn Greenwald for the Cato Institute. While the report itself can be a little boring, (full 34 pages here) it is more of an empirical examination of the issue in Portugal and how their country has been impacted since they decriminalized ALL drugs in 2001.

So that is probably more reading than anyone has time to get done, I recommend checking out those links when you have a little time to kill. Over the weekend I'll delve more into the Cato Institutes thoughts on the subject and post some videos too.

A Conservative Inquiry

It's funny how history repeats itself. In 1971 Nixon appointed republican Raymond Schafer to chair of The National Commission on Marihuana and Drug Abuse, and 9 of the total 13 members. Their report was cast aside, at least it gave me a name for this blog. Almost 40 years later The O'Leary report, a conservative publication, teamed with Zogby to conduct a public opinion poll . The revelation is just as historic, I can only hope it plays a more significant role in impacting todays society. Here is what 3,919 Americans were asked to respond to.

Scarce law enforcement and prison resources, a desire to neutralize drug cartels and the need for new sources of revenue have resurrected the topic of legalizing marijuana. Proponents say it makes sense to tax and regulate the drug while opponents say that legalization would lead marijuana users to use other illegal drugs. Would you favor or oppose the government's effort to legalize marijuana?

A small majority of the Americans, %52 favored legalizing marijuana compared to the %37 who opposed it. This British headline and recent poll was music to my ears. It is remarkable that the government has spent countless amounts of money trying to convince the public the exact opposite.

Ben Morris from MPP called it "The Marijuana Tipping Point". The "tipping point" phrase was popularized by Malcolm Gladwell's best selling book of the same title. A must read for anyone who enjoys the hobby. While I credit the Michael Phelps bong photo impact in an information age of society; that is still very new, I believe there have been many micro victories that will lead to an eventual unlikely victor in the "war on drugs". The Phelps incident gave America something to talk about besides the financial crisis we are in.

The silly situation was blown out of epic proportion and some Americans realized there was a larger problem that was being overlooked. President Obama was quoted saying "the drug was has been a complete and utter failure" back in 2004. The problem only grown since then. Below is one of my favorite quotes, from Ralph Waldo Emerson.

A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds.

Last Ditch Effort?

Arnold Schwarzenegger appears to be struggling at something for the first time in his life. This New York Times article reports his approval rating has plummeted to around the 30's. The Governor has apparently been abandoned by the Republican party and he may be endorsing a Democrat to replace him. He still has 18 months left in office that will largely determine if his stint was a failure.

Today he welcomed a public debate on the subject of marijuana. While at a public appearance promoting wildfire preparedness, he was asked about the idea of treating marijuana like alcohol. The Austrian born Schwarzenegger offered his opinion.

"No, I don't think it's time for that, but I think it's time for a debate," he said. "And I think we ought to study very carefully what other countries are doing that have legalized marijuana and other drugs, what affect it had on those countries, and are they happy with that decision."

This is a great step forward towards change in our country. If more people start believing, a close examination of our drug laws could soon be a reality. This might be one of the Governors last chances to show real progress of some kind during his term. I think Schwarzenegger has a need to be liked and that it wasn't a coincidence his comments came after this recent poll.

"Schwarzenegger's comments come days after a statewide Field Poll found that 56 percent of California voters support the idea of legalizing cannabis for recreational use and taxing its proceeds."

Save Chuck!

I am a couch potato, so I have been spending too much time catching up on the season finales of some of my favorite shows. "Chuck" is an action comedy show that runs an hour long. Featuring a great cast, led by Zachary Levi (Chuck)and Yvonne Strahovski (agent Sarah Walker), the spy show mixes laughs and gun fights to create a unique feel that is missing from TV today. Its finale on Monday was more emotional than most episodes, but hit all the right chords.

NBC has yet to renew it for a third season and that has brought fans out of the closet to muster support. A critical darling the show has struggled to gain a large audience. I encourage everyone to check it out, there is alot of bad TV on the air and it would be sad to see one of the better shows die as it approaches its prime. Watch Chuck and his CIA handlers, John and Sara, below in an action packed clip. Sarah Walker might be reason enough to watch a few episodes!