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Former drug czar John Walters fears the use of marijuana will explode to the same numbers as those who regularly drink alcohol if I-502 and others like it pass in November. (AP Photo)

Former drug czars oppose Washington measure to legalize pot

BY Tim Haeck  on October 15, 2012 @ 11:09 am (Updated: 12:50 pm - 10/15/12 )

A coalition of former police officials, federal drug czars, and addiction experts is urging Washington voters to reject an initiative to legalize marijuana.

During a national conference call on Monday, they warned the passage of Initiative 502 in Washington, and similar initiatives in Colorado and Oregon, would trigger a constitutional showdown.

Former drug czar John Walters fears the use of marijuana will explode to the same numbers as those who regularly drink alcohol, which he estimates at 133 million users.

"What's the country going to look like if there are a hundred million marijuana users?" asked Walters. "This isn't a joke, this isn't hard to see. It's a clear and present danger."

If I-502 wins passage, former drug czars predict that federal drug agents will crack down on those who grow and distribute marijuana while conceding that small users would have little to fear.

Backers of I-502 chastise the coalition for interfering in a local issue. A statement from former U.S. attorney for Western Washington John McKay calls the comments from the coalition a "misguided attempt to influence state elections."

Tim Haeck, KIRO Radio Reporter
Tim Haeck is a news reporter with KIRO Radio. While Tim is one of our go-to, no-nonsense reporters, he also has a sensationally dry sense of humor and it will surprise some to learn he is a weekend warrior.
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Comments (37)


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  • JustAnotherFish wrote...
    What's the country going to look like...?
    October 15, 2012 12:03 pm
    About the same as it does now. Probably with a few more smiling faces.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • sportsguru wrote...
    Of course they predict disaster
    October 15, 2012 12:11 pm
    There jobs depend on us biting on that fear. The drug program is nothing but a jobs program for all the people speaking out against it.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • maplefish wrote...
    Touche Guru
    October 15, 2012 12:33 pm
    These "Czars" have done a HORRIBLE Job fighting the so-called "War on Drugs"! If we quit busting and prosecuting and incarcerating people who smoke weed, we'd have a ton more money to use to bust, prosecute and incarcerate REAL CRIMINALS Tax Paying Adults should be free to use cannabis. These jack-knobs need to go after Meth Heads!
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  • RonJ wrote...
    Double Touche
    October 15, 2012 4:36 pm
    Maple.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Bubonic33 wrote...
    sportsguru I agree...
    October 15, 2012 12:43 pm
    Its been going on since Harry Aslinger, the prohibition commissioner until alcohol became legal, then he became the first commissioner of the narcotics division. He spouted such things as, "Marijuana makes white woman seek sexual relations with Negros" They will say and do anything to keep their job.
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  • maplefish wrote...
    @Bubonic33
    October 15, 2012 12:50 pm
    OK, That was hilarious....Wonder if these "Czars" have ever seen refer madness? And how the eF did we get Czars in this Country? What kind of balls does one have to call themselves a CZAR???
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • rational wrote...
    maplefish
    October 15, 2012 3:59 pm
    Not surprisingly, the term czar came into common usage during the FDR administration...the only president worse than Obama, although Wilson gave it his best effort but falls to 3 beind Obama.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • maplefish wrote...
    Thank rational
    October 15, 2012 6:04 pm
    seriously, I did not know that.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • BeenThere wrote...
    sportsguru... As long as we don't think there will be a problem.
    October 15, 2012 2:08 pm
    Then there will be no problem?
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • lukaszkb wrote...
    new user
    October 15, 2012 12:28 pm
    I have been using marijuana as medicine for years now. I hope if and when this passes I will not somehow transform into the "reefer madness" character. I thought I was doing ok, but now that these a--wholes gave their 2 cents, I feel like I might slip into oblivion and become and "addict". Thanks again big govt for letting me know I am an idiot and cannot make wise decisions for myself.
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  • CRMHero wrote...
    Got some news for you
    October 15, 2012 12:35 pm
    People already smoke Marijuana, and, all it is going to do by legalizing it is take the money from the "underground" drug trade and line the pockets of those who oversee and manage the distribution. There will not be some huge uptick like with alcohol as it is not as much of a social drug like alcohol that you go to the bars and hang out with or go to a party and take some with you. People who smoke now smoke now by illegally purchasing the marijuana. By legalizing it, they will no longer be putting that money into the drug dealers and in turn the cartels pockets they will go to help our national debt. Those opposed to this passing just aren't hitched to the money wagon that will be rolling down Pennsylvania avenue, and, therefore do not approve. I guarantee if Mr. Walters held a card attached the tax account in which this revenue will pad he wouldn't have such ridiculous objections to this passing. People do it now, and, will do it regardless if it passes or not. Do we want the money to fund taxes or the cartels? It's going to happen one way or the other...get on with it already and focus on more important issues at hand..
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • BeenThere wrote...
    @CRMHero...."People who smoke now smoke now by illegally purchasing the marijuana. By legalizing it, they will no longer be putting that money into the drug dealers and in turn the cartels pockets"
    October 15, 2012 10:18 pm
    Some people don't believe that. Are you sure?
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • CRMHero wrote...
    @BeenThere
    October 16, 2012 7:10 am
    Sure, there are people now that obtain it by going through a dispensary, but, the large majority who are too scared to get "green" Cards do so by going other routes. All legalizing it will do will take the stigma away from that and culturally shift it to more reputable sources. I am not saying it will abolish the drug trade, but it is equally as ridiculous to say we will see a huge uptick like with alcohol by legalizing it...
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Jeddite wrote...
    "Former drug czar John Walters fears the use of marijuana will explode to the same numbers as those who regularly drink alcohol "
    October 15, 2012 12:58 pm
    REEFER MADNESS. REEFER MADNESS!
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • froggy wrote...
    What do you think employers are going to do?
    October 15, 2012 12:59 pm
    So if you're a pot smoker, legal, and your employer has a no drug policy, what then? As easy as it is to grow pot, I doubt that the tax revenue will actually materialize. But then if people get as lazy as pot is supposed to make people, then maybe it will.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Publius wrote...
    I hope it does trigger a Constitutional Showdown
    October 15, 2012 1:10 pm
    The states have been ceding authority to the Federal government for far too long. I believe the people of Washington can decide what's good for ourselves better than bureaucrats on the other side of the nation. We don't need "czars" wagging their finger at us.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • SeattleNative wrote...
    I am against legalization
    October 15, 2012 1:19 pm
    Legalizing it will make it socially acceptable, which will lead to increased use IMO. Study after study shows that marijuana-impaired drivers are more likely to cause accidents that result in severe injury and death. Not to mention how much less productive and motivated stoners are than non-stoned.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • sportsguru wrote...
    Yeah right
    October 15, 2012 2:23 pm
    All these alcoholics are very motivated and productive sitting on a street corner panhandling in front of your business and trying to slur something to you with alcoholic breath and I can show you a study that shows how much damage an death an alcohol induced driver can produce. Yeah, let's keep the gangs and cartel in pocket with illicit money so we can continue the billion dollar faux war and keep this over bloated justice department in tack.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • 333 wrote...
    would trigger a
    October 15, 2012 1:28 pm
    constitutional showdown?????? so what? that's a good thing. These "i know whats best for everyone" types are scary!!
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • 333 wrote...
    froggy
    October 15, 2012 2:09 pm
    You made two points, both false. #1 If you come to work drunk (drinking is legal) you'll get fired..same with poor performance...why you think everyone will show up to work stoned is beyond me? #2 It is not easy to grow quality at all! It's easier to brew your own beer and that doesn't hurt the industry now does it? I don't mind other points to an argument, but when they're wrong it's just annoying.
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  • maplefish wrote...
    333
    October 15, 2012 6:08 pm
    Unless you work for the Seattle City Council. Those people show up drunk and high an never get fired for poor job performance....
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • 333 wrote...
    froggy
    October 15, 2012 2:09 pm
    You made two points, both false. #1 If you come to work drunk (drinking is legal) you'll get fired..same with poor performance...why you think everyone will show up to work stoned is beyond me? #2 It is not easy to grow quality at all! It's easier to brew your own beer and that doesn't hurt the industry now does it? I don't mind other points to an argument, but when they're wrong it's just annoying.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
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