Clinton Era Surgeon General Supports Legalization

By Ron Crumpton

Clinton era Surgeon General Joycelyn Elders said on Sunday that Marijuana should be legalized.

"What I think is horrible about all of this, is that we criminalize young people. And we use so many of our excellent resources ... for things that aren't really causing any problems," declared Elders. "It's not a toxic substance."

Former Surgeon General Joycelyn Elders

She continued by stating that in her medical opinion, “marijuana is not addictive.” Unlike cigarettes, which Dr. Elders called the most addictive substance on the planet; marijuana does not cause physical addiction.

The doctor then compared marijuana to alcohol saying that while alcohol causes the user to have violent tendencies, marijuana does not generate the urge to commit violence.

Elders has already voiced her support for Proposition 19. In July, she issued a statement to be published in a voter guide; Dr. Elders said the legalization bill would help divert law enforcement resources to more serious threats. “We can let police prevent violent crime, or we can accept the status quo, and keep wasting resources sending tens of thousands of nonviolent marijuana consumers — a disproportionate number who are minorities — to jail.”

It is not a surprise that Dr. Elders supports legalization; she has always been quick to voice her opinion about the status quo and hypocrisy in politics. In 1994, she was forced to resign from her position as Surgeon General because of her comments in support of the legalization of drugs, gay rights and the passing out condoms in schools.