Washington Post, 23 Jun 2013 – With its recent reports “The War on Marijuana in Black and White” and “Behind the D.C. Numbers,” the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) highlighted an important policy issue facing the nation. But in framing the discussion as police pursuing a war on drugs, the organization missed an opportunity to prompt a valuable discussion. As the chief of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD), I am as interested in vibrant, healthy communities as I am in safe neighborhoods. And having large portions of the District’s population hindered in finding gainful employment because of minor arrests weakens the fabric of our communities. Nevertheless, marijuana possession is a crime, and MPD officers are sworn to uphold the law.
posted on June 23, 2013 by
