Law Enforcement Against Prohibition (LEAP)

TLDR;

This video features a presentation and discussion centered around Michelle Alexander's book, "The New Jim Crow," and the broader implications of drug policy and mass incarceration. The speaker, Diane, a retired law enforcement lieutenant and member of LEAP (Law Enforcement Against Prohibition), shares her personal journey from a "drug warrior" to an advocate for drug policy reform.

Key points:

• The failure of the war on drugs and its disproportionate impact on communities of color.
• The need to shift from a criminal justice approach to a public health model for drug addiction.
• The importance of regulating cannabis and decriminalizing other drugs.
• The fiscal and social costs of current drug policies.

Introduction to "The New Jim Crow" and Human Rights [0:02]

The event is centered around Michelle Alexander's book, "The New Jim Crow," which documents racial profiling and mass incarceration. A quote from Martin Luther King Jr. is shared, emphasizing the need to move from civil rights to human rights, advocating for a revolutionary movement that questions the foundations of society.

Diane's Background and LEAP [3:08]

Diane introduces herself as a retired female lieutenant from the Redondo Beach Police Department, hired in 1983. She discusses her evolving perspective on law enforcement, influenced by her early training that emphasized the role of "peace officers" serving their communities. She recounts her experiences in a gang unit and narcotics, highlighting the failure of the war on drugs. Diane is now with LEAP (Law Enforcement Against Prohibition), an international association advocating for drug policy reform, shifting from incarceration to treating drug use as a public health issue. LEAP aims to educate the public and legislators, advocating for alternative approaches to the drug war.

The Failure of the Drug War: Facts and Figures [8:18]

The presentation highlights the failure of the drug war, pointing out that a drug arrest occurs every 19 seconds in the U.S., with a marijuana arrest every 31 seconds, 82% of which are for simple possession. Despite these efforts, 48% of high school students have used illicit substances by graduation. A 2005 survey revealed that 82% of law enforcement leaders felt the drug war had failed to reduce consumption. The speaker draws a parallel to alcohol prohibition, noting that it ended due to corruption, deaths, and the need for tax revenue.

Voices of Reform and the Intent of Drug Policies [12:42]

The discussion shifts to the need for grassroots movements to push for governmental change, similar to the end of alcohol prohibition, the Vietnam War movement, and the Civil Rights movement. The speaker notes that voices from across the political spectrum are calling for the regulation and legalization of cannabis, followed by the decriminalization of other drugs and a move to a public health model. The stated intent of drug policies is to reduce consumption, production, and distribution, but the speaker argues that the goal of a "drug-free America" is unattainable and that current policies are driven by money.

History of the War on Drugs and Personal Epiphany [16:57]

The speaker discusses August Vollmer, a progressive police chief from the 1930s, who advocated for a pharmaceutical model for drug addicts. She notes that the 1914 Harrison Act, the first anti-narcotics act, was loaded with racist tendencies. The speaker shares personal experiences, including her brother's struggle with addiction and subsequent death, which led to her self-education and involvement in drug policy reform.

Personal Experiences and Prop 19 [22:11]

The speaker shares personal stories, including her brother's arrest for methamphetamine possession and the challenges she faced navigating the legal system to get him into a Prop 36 program. She recounts another incident where a police report was falsified, leading to the case being dismissed. These experiences, along with the influence of Judge Jim Gray, led her to become involved with LEAP.

Shaffer Commission and Marijuana Dangers [27:23]

President Nixon's Shaffer Commission in 1970 recommended that marijuana not be classified as a Schedule 1 substance, but Nixon ignored the recommendation. The speaker notes that no one has died from a marijuana overdose or killed anyone due to marijuana use. She shares her experience as a police officer, noting that she never encountered a situation where someone who smoked pot committed violent crimes. While marijuana can be dangerous, she argues that prohibition is worse because it marginalizes communities.

Drug Use Prevalence and President Obama's Position [29:53]

The speaker notes that 46% of the population has used drugs, including the past three presidents, and the addiction level has remained constant. She expresses disappointment that President Obama has not shifted to a public health approach, hoping that he will address the issue more humanely in his second term.

Nuances of Drug Policy and Social Experiments [31:56]

A member of the audience raises concerns about focusing too much on marijuana use versus harder drugs. The speaker responds that drug abuse is harmful to society, but lumping all drugs together is confusing. She suggests separating marijuana from other drugs as a social experiment, which would have positive fiscal and social impacts. She advocates for treating addicts in a public health model rather than incarcerating them.

Decriminalization and Regulation [34:25]

The speaker suggests decriminalization as a starting point for hard drugs, referencing a bill introduced by Senator Leno to reduce felony drug possession arrests to misdemeanors. She discusses Portugal's success with decriminalizing all drugs, noting that it is not decriminalization as understood in the U.S. but rather depenalization with administrative remedies. She emphasizes that decriminalization does not eliminate the black market and that regulation is needed.

Regulation and Legalization [37:37]

The speaker argues that LEAP should focus on regulation rather than legalization, as regulation involves a smart, cost-effective model that removes cartels and criminals. She believes that starting with marijuana is essential to lose the fear and understand that it needs to be appropriately regulated.

Fiscal Impact and Effective Policing Strategies [38:41]

The speaker presents data on the fiscal impact of the drug war, noting that the illegal drug market trades at a 300% profit margin and is worth $500 billion internationally. She highlights the cost of marijuana enforcement in the U.S., suggesting that the money could be better used to bolster academic institutions, public infrastructure, and job creation. She advocates for effective policing strategies based on scientific evidence.

Incentives for Law Enforcement and the Role of Lobbying [39:55]

The speaker questions the incentives for law enforcement to approach drug matters differently, noting that they receive incentives through asset forfeiture and federal grant funding. She argues that public safety should not be allowed to lobby, as it is unethical. She identifies John Lovell as a lobbyist for law enforcement associations in California, who influences legislation against law enforcement.

Prison Overcrowding and Racial Disparities [43:47]

The speaker discusses prison overcrowding and racial disparities in drug convictions, citing statistics from the Pew Center on States. She notes that blacks constitute 53.5% of all persons with a drug conviction, despite having a lower drug prevalence rate than whites. She attributes this to low economics and the mass militarization of law enforcement.

The War on Drugs: A Failed Policy [45:25]

The speaker asks if anyone believes the war on drugs has worked, noting that she has never received a positive response when asking this question in lectures. She argues that drug dealers don't ask for ID, making marijuana a gateway drug. She advocates for appropriately regulating drugs to prevent criminals from controlling the market.

Drug-Related Arrests and Incentives for Law Enforcement [47:24]

The speaker states that there were 1.6 million drug arrests last year, with over 800,000 for pot. She notes that drug offenses account for double the arrests compared to violent or property crimes. She argues that law enforcement has incentives to continue drug arrests through asset forfeiture and federal grant funding.

Prohibition and Scientific Evidence [49:41]

The speaker argues that prohibition has been tried and has not worked. She notes that the International Association of Chiefs of Police came out in 2011 and said that they want law enforcement to use scientific-based evidence and research practices to determine policy.

Treatment vs. Enforcement [50:22]

The speaker presents data from a 1994 Rand report showing that for every dollar spent on drug treatment, it returned seven times the value. Domestic enforcement cost four times more than treatment, and treatment was 23 times more effective than source control and supply-side enforcement. She notes that the federal government has had this information for years but continues to overspend on enforcement versus treatment.

Reclassification Petition and Moral Perspective [53:37]

The governors of several states are asking the federal government to move cannabis from Schedule 1 to Schedule 2 so that scientific studies can be conducted. The speaker notes that the DEA continues to say that cannabis has no medical efficacy, despite numerous citable studies. She argues that drugs are neither good nor bad, just like guns, and that the focus should be on the behaviors associated with drug use.

Parental Perspectives and Regulations [55:44]

The speaker shares her approach to educating her son about responsible alcohol use, while also emphasizing the dangers of drug abuse. She supports regulations and controls on substances, similar to alcohol, to ensure purity and safety.

Regulatory Models and Honest Conversations [1:00:05]

The speaker emphasizes the need for honest conversations about the harms of prohibition and the development of regulatory models. She notes that there are various regulatory models that can be applied, including full legalization, legalization of pot with regulation, and decriminalization.

Cost Analysis and Alternative Strategies [1:01:00]

An audience member raises concerns about the cost of transitioning to a regulatory model and what to do with people released from jail. The speaker responds that the facts have proven that the current system is not working and that there are alternative strategies that have been unwilling to discuss.

Portugal's Success and Harm Reduction [1:02:27]

The speaker highlights Portugal's success with decriminalizing all drugs, noting that they made marijuana "not sexy." She emphasizes the importance of harm reduction, focusing on reducing the harm drugs do to the individual and the community.

Plea Bargains and Public Health Approach [1:04:22]

An audience member raises concerns about people who have been plea bargained and branded as felons, even though they were innocent. The speaker notes that Switzerland took a public health approach to heroin, resulting in a significant decrease in felony crime.

Fear and Misinformation [1:06:16]

The speaker urges people not to let politicians and public safety leaders use rhetoric to strike fear into communities about drug use. She shares her personal experience of losing her brother to drug addiction due to a lack of a supportive system.

Marijuana and Hard Drugs [1:08:31]

The speaker emphasizes the need to separate marijuana from hard drugs, noting that scientific evidence shows that marijuana does not have the same propensities as other hard drugs. She shares her experience touring Montel Williams's dispensary in Sacramento, highlighting the potential for a well-regulated business environment.

Federal Judiciary and State Control [1:09:11]

The speaker notes that Justice Antonin Scalia stated that the biggest mistake of the federal judiciary was expanding its grasp into the enforcement of drug laws, arguing that it should be a state-by-state issue. She criticizes the DOJ's wholesale shutting down of dispensaries operating within California state guidelines, resulting in a loss of tax revenue.

Legalization and Regulation [1:10:49]

The speaker reiterates the need to legalize marijuana and appropriately regulate cannabis, emphasizing that it is not about allowing chaos but about creating a responsible regulatory model. She notes that the prison budget in California now holds 11.5% of the state's budget, while higher education has only 6.5%.

Anxiety and Legalizing Drugs [1:14:05]

An audience member expresses anxiety about legalizing all drugs, but the speaker responds that it does not mean that drugs are good. She argues that legalization allows for finding solutions to control addiction and provide medical treatment.

Drunk Driving and Zero Tolerance [1:15:24]

The speaker discusses legislation introduced by a legislator from Pomona that would establish zero tolerance for cannabis in DUI cases, noting that there is no scientific evidence to support this. She argues that it is a training issue and that law enforcement can detect impairment through drug recognition training.

Smart Policing Strategy [1:19:39]

The speaker advocates for a smart policing strategy, similar to what has been done with alcohol-related fatalities, to address drug-related fatalities. She notes that California has had the lowest recorded level of driving under the influence fatalities since record-keeping began.

Education and Concrete Opinion [1:20:48]

An audience member states that they need more education before forming a concrete opinion on the issue. The speaker responds that education is the most important thing and shares data on the cost savings associated with reducing penalties for drug possession.

World Hunger and Full-Time Tuition [1:22:19]

An audience member compares the issue to world hunger, noting that it may cost billions to provide treatment. The speaker shares data on the cost of incarceration versus the cost of full-time tuition, arguing that it is better to spend money on treatment than on incarceration.

Harm Reduction and Measuring Success [1:23:42]

The speaker discusses harm reduction and how to measure success, noting that addiction is a constant battle. She suggests measuring success by keeping families intact and ensuring that individuals are able to contribute to their communities.

Social Contract and Changing the Law [1:25:48]

The speaker emphasizes the social contract between law enforcement and communities, noting that sometimes difficult things must be done. However, she expresses that she was tired of ruining people's lives because she had to enforce a law that was wrong.

Rule Follower and History [1:26:14]

The speaker describes herself as a rule follower, noting that history has proven that the majority is not always right. She urges people to educate themselves and look past the sound bites.

Money Issue and Legalizing [1:27:28]

An audience member notes that legalizing drugs would generate revenue through taxation and control the commerce exchange for drugs. The speaker agrees, adding that it would also put people back into the workplace, where they would pay taxes and contribute to their communities.

Workplace Scenarios and Employer Rights [1:28:19]

An audience member presents a workplace scenario involving an employee who may be impaired by drugs. The speaker responds that employer rights would not be impacted and that workplace rules prohibiting alcohol or drug use would still apply.

Regulation vs. Legalization [1:30:10]

The speaker reiterates that she hates the word "legalize" and prefers "regulation," as legalization equates to a free-for-all and scares people. She emphasizes the importance of appropriate regulatory models.

Demonizing People vs. Their Behavior [1:32:34]

The speaker argues that the issue is about demonizing people as opposed to their behavior. She notes that harm reduction focuses on reducing the harm drugs do to the individual and the community.

Obama's Position and Political Process [1:33:47]

The speaker notes that President Obama has to say that the drug war has not worked because he is trying to get elected. She argues that politicians should serve the people, not themselves, and that the political process needs to be changed.

Gavin Newsom and Courage [1:35:03]

The speaker quotes Gavin Newsom, who said that politicians need the courage to speak out against the drug war. She argues that public health issues should be handled by scientists and researchers, not law enforcement.

Moralistic Crimes and Community Impact [1:36:07]

The speaker argues that it is not law enforcement's responsibility to investigate moralistic crimes and that religious leaders have a better impact on communities. She notes that the drug war has put a wall between communities and law enforcement.

Use vs. Abuse and Generational Situation [1:37:05]

An audience member expresses disagreement with the idea of "use" and shares concerns about the impact of drug use on families and communities. The speaker responds that the message should still be "don't start" but that there should be remedies in place other than incarceration.

Mental Illness and Choice [1:39:11]

An audience member raises a question about the choice to use drugs, comparing it to someone with a mental illness who chooses to go off their medication. The speaker responds that everyone has a choice, even if it is illegal.

Over Incarceration and Mental Health Issues [1:40:11]

The speaker discusses over incarceration and mental health issues, noting that prisons have become the last bastion of mental health options. She criticizes the California prison officers union for using its budget to lobby.

Lobbying and Legislators [1:40:56]

The speaker argues that lobbying should not be allowed and that legislators should be paid well to keep them honest.

Ambivalence and Moving Forward [1:41:43]

The speaker acknowledges that the issue is tough and that everyone is ambivalent in different aspects. She urges people to move forward and give politicians and law enforcement leaders the ability to be honest.

Decision-Making Positions and Affirmative Action [1:41:59]

An audience member notes that most people in decision-making positions grew up in an era where a lot of this stuff was happening. They argue that there should be a phasing approach to change, rather than an all-or-nothing approach.

Marijuana and Industrial Hemp [1:43:07]

The speaker reiterates that the model should be to start with legalizing marijuana and appropriately regulating cannabis. She discusses the industrial hemp market, noting that it is a three-billion-dollar industry outside the U.S. that could create jobs and promote green initiatives.

Pandora's Box and Slippery Slope [1:44:59]

An audience member expresses concern that legalizing marijuana will open a Pandora's box and lead to a slippery slope. The speaker responds that it is not an either-or situation and that use and abuse are on a continuum.

Hunting Rifles and Automatic Weapons [1:46:24]

The speaker draws a parallel to hunting rifles and automatic weapons, noting that they are both capable of doing the same damage but are regulated differently. She reiterates that the model is to start with marijuana, look at the evidence, and then decriminalize other possessions.

Drug Cartels and Community Programs [1:47:30]

The speaker notes that decriminalization does not remove the black market and that drug cartels continue to be an issue. She argues that prisons should be saved for those who deserve to be there and that community programs should be funded.

Juvenile Crimes and Rehabilitation [1:48:22]

The speaker discusses juvenile crimes and the importance of rehabilitation, noting that law enforcement lobbying has eliminated rehabilitation for many young offenders.

Political Crime Du Jour and Private Interest [1:49:20]

The speaker argues that politicians often use fear for public safety to consolidate power for themselves, doing what is right for themselves rather than what is right for the community.