Former Federal Prosecutor Running For Congress Says Legalize MJ To Hurt Cartels

When he was a federal prosecutor, Adam Schleifer got an up-close look at the violence and corruption of the illicit, international drug trade. But he didn’t reach the conclusion that the solution was increased enforcement and criminalization of existing prohibition laws.

Now a congressional candidate, Schliefer is calling for federal marijuana legalization, making the case that reform represents a superior alternative to blanket criminalization.

There appears to be growing recognition among prosecutors that cannabis shouldn’t be a priority. Federal prosecutions of marijuana trafficking cases have steadily declined in recent years as more states have legalized. Even so, it’s still relatively rare to see a former prosecutor who was tasked with upholding federal law—which regards marijuana as a strictly controlled substance—openly criticize existing policy and back legalization.

In contrast, for example, the U.S. Attorney for the District of Utah said earlier this year that legalization will “bring down our society” and empower illicit actors.