MEGAPHON3

Hi Peter! Thanks so much for doing this!

Question: in your opinion, what is the biggest barrier to broad-scale legalization of drugs in the United States?

Aside from LEAP, there are many organizations working on these issues from different angles.

Just to name a few:

• The Drug Policy Alliance (http://www.drugpolicy.org/)
• Coalition for Cannabis Policy Reform or CCPR (http://www.cannabispolicyreform.org/)
• National Council on Crime and Delinquency or NCCD (http://www.nccdglobal.org/)
• Students for Sensible Drug Policy or SSDP (http://ssdp.org/)
• National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws or NORML (www.norml.org)

Opium addiction was a serious issue for housewives in the late 1800s, but it was still seen as as medical issue, not a criminal issue.

Edit: not to mention alcoholism was incredibly pervasive at the turn of the century - one of the major reasons for prohibition in the first place.

http://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/1sklci/i_am_peter_christ_retired_police_captain_who/cdyilw8

response:

1. In some cases, asset forfeiture can make up 50% of a police department's budget.

2. Though likely not common any more, the CIA has been caught several times running drugs into the united states (especially cocaine and crack, but also heroin) to fund black ops programs.