Newark Mayor Cory Booker Declares Drug War ‘A Failure,’ Endorses Medical Marijuana

Newark, N.J., Mayor Cory Booker tweeted on Wednesday, calling the government's war on drugs a failure that unfairly targets the black population. His criticism comes after New Jersey advanced a bill to decriminalize marijuana. If it passes, a person caught with 15 grams of pot or less would only face a $150 fine.


Booker supports treatment over incarceration, saying the drug war was costing billions and destroying lives. He stated the high percentage of blacks in New Jersey's prisons, writing that they make up 60 percent of the jail population, despite being 15 percent of the state's population.

Drug war is a failure costing billions of tax dollars annually AND destroying lives, plus it has a glaring racial component @LibProgressive
— Cory Booker (@CoryBooker) May 23, 2012


In NJ blacks are about 15% of population but over 60% of prison population and DRUGS fuels much of the incarceration @LibProgressive
— Cory Booker (@CoryBooker) May 23, 2012


So yes we need to radically change the conversation from INCARCERATION to what will really end this national nightmare. @LibProgressive
— Cory Booker (@CoryBooker) May 23, 2012


I fear legalizing it all would lead 2 more addiction RT @msupolitical: last thing I want is giving more power 2 govt. legalize it all period
— Cory Booker (@CoryBooker) May 23, 2012


However, I’m with you on medical marijuana. And NJ should do more to make it real for those who need it@msupolitical
— Cory Booker (@CoryBooker) May 23, 2012