ONDCP Director Denounces Marijuana Legalization as a ‘Non-Starter’

A recent Department of Justice memo offering guidelines for federal prosecutors regarding state laws authorizing the use of marijuana for medical purposes sparked a flurry of news reports, with some arguing that the memo signaled the Obama Administration's tacit approved of "medical" marijuana. In addition, proponents of marijuana legalization claimed that the memo was a step toward marijuana legalization. In response, Gil Kerlikowske, Director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP), issued a statement clarifying that the memo did not mean either of those things and he confirmed the Administration's stance that marijuana should remain illegal.

“Marijuana legalization, for any purpose, remains a non-starter in the Obama Administration. It is not something that the President and I discuss; it isn't even on the agenda. Attorney General Holder issued very clear guidelines to U.S. Attorneys about the appropriate use of Federal resources. He did not open the door to legalization,” Director Kerlikowske stated.

Read the Director’s full statement at the ONDCP Web site.