SEATTLE —

Pro-marijuana protesters in Seattle are telling White House drug czar Gil Kerlikowske to "get with The Times."

The group rallied outside as Kerlikowske met Friday with the editorial board of The Seattle Times, which recently endorsed marijuana legalization.

Kerlikowske is the former Seattle police chief who now heads the Office of National Drug Control Policy. He says chronic marijuana use is linked to mental illness and other health problems, and argues that legalizing cannabis would not be the cure-all proponents make it out to be because the black market would adapt to offer tax-free marijuana.

The Washington Legislature is considering whether to allow marijuana sales through state liquor stores. Proponents argue that marijuana is less harmful than alcohol, and that prohibition has cost taxpayers exorbitantly while doing nothing to reduce the drug's availability.

(Source)