Seattle's Mayor Calls for Marijuana Legalization in State of the City Address

Seattle Mayor Mike McGinn dares to utter the truth that marijuana advocates know and that anti-drug crusaders fear: illegal drugs fund criminals, reports NPR affiliate KPLU.

 In his State of the City address, McGinn states:

 “It is time we were honest about the problems we face with the drug trade. Drugs are a source of criminal profit, and that has led to shootings and even murders. Just like we learned in the 1920s with the prohibition of alcohol, prohibition of marijuana is fueling violent activity." 

 McGinn also calls on Washington state to legalize marijuana to end the erosion of civil liberties. He also remarked that though Seattle has taken a progressive stance on marijuana, federal anti-drug laws in place continue to fuel violence.

 Mayor McGinn's example shows that legalization will ultimately be a bottom-up process, rather than coming from Washington.