DEA's Michele Leonhart/dea photo

Los Angeles Times Editorial

When President Obama nominated Michele Leonhart to head the Drug Enforcement Administration last month, those hoping for a sensible federal policy regarding medical marijuana — one that promotes scientific research into its medicinal value and eschews prosecution when it is used in accordance with local laws — shivered.

As special agent in charge of the Los Angeles Field Division, Leonhart zealously cracked down on dispensaries (though, it could be argued, that was during the Clinton and Bush years, and she was adhering to White House policy). Then, in 2008, as acting head of the DEA, she denied the application of a University of Massachusetts botanist to cultivate marijuana for research purposes (though that too was in line with the Bush administration’s anti-science stance).

So what are we to expect now if she is confirmed by the Senate? Hard to say. Since Obama’s Swearing in, it has been unclear whether the DEA — which Leonhart has been running as acting administrator since November 2007 — is willing to abide by his administration’s verbal and written policy of not pursuing medical marijuana operations that do not violate their state’s laws.

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By Allan Lengel

Down in southern Illinois, Sheriff Raymond Martin enjoyed the respect of the people of Gallatin County — that is until the feds busted him last May on charges of selling marijuana while in uniform.

Now things have only gotten worse. Martin, who has been sheriff since 1990, was charged with plotting to kill someone while behind bars, the Associated Press is reporting. His wife and 20-year-old son were also charged.

“Is it greed? Ignorance? I don’t know,” County Chairman Randy Drone told the Associated Press Tuesday before Martin’s first court appearance with his wife and 20-year-old son.

“Arrogance – maybe that’s it. Thinking he’s so above the law he could actually get away with this.

“But getting rearrested while still in jail? That’s something.”

Drone has urged the sheriff to resign.

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The new drug czar may have a different approach to drugs. For one, his record as Seattle Police chief shows he’s not big on focusing on marijuana busts. But can he offer up a different enough approach to make an impact on a war on drugs in which victory is always beyond reach?   And what will he offer up to deal with the ever-dangerous drug war in Mexico that’s spilling over into U.S. borders?

Robert Gil Kerlikowske

By AllGov
President Obama’s apparent nominee to be the nation’s new “drug czar,” Robert Gil Kerlikowske, has spent nearly 30 years in law enforcement, including a stint as a narcotics officer and eight years as Seattle’s police chief, during which he downplayed the importance of arresting individuals for marijuana possession.

Born in Fort Myers, Florida, in 1949, Kerlikowske was raised by his mother and stepfather, who was a judge. As a high school student, Kerlikowske worked as a crime scene photographer on weekends, and he discovered his love for law enforcement while fingerprinting criminals at a Florida jail.

Kerlikowske enrolled in St. Petersburg Junior College, but was drafted into the army in 1970, and joined the Army Military Police. He was stationed in Washington, DC, where his duties included saluting then-President Richard Nixon as he boarded the Marine One helicopter.

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