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Ahead of her time, as she was when it came to Christine O’Donnell’s favorite topic, masturbation. I’m sure there will be eruptions again, for obvious reasons.
The trend-setting state of California is voting next month on a ballot initiative to legalize pot, also known as Proposition 19. The measure would legalize recreational use in the state, though federal officials have said they would continue to enforce drug laws in California if the initiative is approved.“What I think is horrible about all of this, is that we criminalize young people. And we use so many of our excellent resources … for things that aren’t really causing any problems,” said Elders. “It’s not a toxic substance.”
…”We have the highest number of people in the world being criminalized, many for non-violent crimes related to marijuana,” said Elders. “We can use our resources so much better.”
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Did she support legalization as surgeon general?I only ask b/c at least on LGBT issues people seem to come out against DADT, or for marriage equality, and the like after they’re no longer in a position to do anything about it.
LOVE THIS WOMANAnd yes, she supported researching the issue of drug legalization/decriminazation as Surgeon General.
That (and the masturbation comment) was one of the reasons that Clinton let her go.
And one of the big reasons that Bill Clinton lost my vote in 1996 too.
This is pretty much what she said in 1996, that it needed to be treated as a public health problem and not a crime problem.
Here’s Time in 1995?
http://www.time.com/time/magaz…
Between Dr. Elders and Judge Virginia Phillips (who just denied DOJ’s request for a stay on the injunction against DADT I have to admit that I am loving me some Bill Clinton …at least for the present moment (given Slick Willie though, that’s subject to change in the next 10 minutes).
Joycelyn EldersIs my favorite person.
An Unfortunate EndorsementI love Joycelyn Elders, but make no mistake, Proposition 19 is a bad law. This is not an instance where a compromise towards legality equals a step forward but where the passing of 19 is a significant and harmful step backward from real legality. Prop 19 appears to decriminalize marijuana use but actually increases criminalization including additional lengthy prison sentences and increased fine schedules for certain infractions. This, among a host of other problems, makes for one of the crappiest major propositions to hit the California ballot since Prop 8.