Keeping Democracy Alive with Burt Cohen

Keeping Democracy Alive with Burt Cohen


Ending the Drug War Got More Votes Than Biden or Trump

November 17, 2020

It was a momentous election. In blue states and red, voters overwhelmingly passed measures legalizing cannabis and, in Oregon, decriminalizing all drugs. So many people have been hurt, families have been separated, and the drug war has failed miserably to achieve its stated goals. On this show journalist Zachary Siegel shares insights into what is an election bright spot. The interests that opposed these measures were law enforcement protecting their familiar turf, and the addiction treatment industry’s cash cow. Harm reduction won, Oregon following the remarkable success of Portugal which legalized drugs 20 years ago. Siegel points out the racism inherent on the drug war, the arbitrary line between white and black market drugs. And these votes show progressive ideas outperform progressive candidates.