Post-Election Drug Reform: Look Local

Wired News published a story of mine today about the prospects for reform of drug laws in the wake of the Democratic takeover of Congress.

One drug policy guru, UC Berkeley's Robert MacCoun, sent some comments after the story ran. Here's what he said:

"At the federal level, the Democrats are unlikely to act loudly and boldly on marijuana or drugs; too little to gain and too much to lose with a presidential election in 2008. It is conceivable that Republicans will even push for harsher policies, trying to provoke the Democrats into opposing them, so the Dems can be labeled soft on drugs.

"At the state level, anything can happen. Almost every politician who has actively pursued more lenient policies toward drugs has held a position at the state or city level."