Former prosecutor Kurt Schmoke drew national headlines with his call for legalization when he was mayor of Baltimore at about the same time Carrie Saxon Perry quietly jumped on the bandwagon when she was mayor of Hartford. Other organizations, including some sophisticated, well-funded outfits such as the Families Against Mandatory Minimums foundation, with chapters in 24 states, take on a piece of the action without supporting legalization. FAMM attracts a broad coalition of folks who believe drug sentencing is excessive and tilted against minorities. The war on drugs has been transformed into a war on blacks, he says. Thornton advocates the immediate legalization of marijuana and the reclassification of heroin and cocaine as drugs that can be legally prescribed by physicians.
Cocaine is very dangerous.
Heroin is highly addictive. A drug that is enjoyable in moderation, but not required for a good life. We gave a sip of champagne on New Years, a sip of a beer occasionally, or a taste of the very strong liquor. We let them see that it was no big deal. Our children use but do not abuse.