New Jersey Governor Chris Christie is arguably one of the most popular Republican figures in the country, known for his bold, brash statements, press conferences and conservative credentials. When he delivered a speech on Tuesday regarding drug policy, he unsurprisingly addressed the topic in his typical bravado:
“…Christie called for a revolution in New Jersey’s approach to the drug war that would divert non-violent addicts from prison and put them in treatment programs instead. And he did it with characteristic Christie style, in big bold strokes.”
“I am not satisfied to have this merely as a pilot project," the governor said. "I am calling for a transformation of the way we deal with drug abuse and incarceration in every corner of New Jersey.”
Gov. Christie actually made a conservative case for the diversion program, arguing that, “[a]s long as they have not violently victimized society, everyone deserves a second chance, because no life is disposable.” His remarks earned him a standing ovation from those in attendance.
In addition to this new diversion program, Christie also allowed the state’s medical marijuana law to be implemented. Gov. Christie’s position is encouraging since the vast majority of Republicans don’t share his apparent zeal for drug policy reform.
Perhaps it will take somebody like Christie to move the right toward a serious conversation about rational drug policy. While both Ron Paul and Gary Johnson have done wonders to advance the national conversation, the mainstream media and Republican Party have done wonders to marginalize them both.
On the other hand, the mainstream media largely admires Christie, as his brash, combative style is adored. He’s also very popular within the Republican Party and is widely viewed as their ideal presidential candidate in 2016.
Even though these reforms under Christie are marginal when compared to Johnson and Paul, it’s still a start. Conservatives by and large remain extremely reluctant to embrace any kind of reform to current drug policy, nor comprehend the insidious toll prohibition takes on society. However, Christie’s willingness to tackle drug policy reform represents a slow-growing trend amongst some conservatives. Christie now joins Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels and the organization Right on Crime as representing mainstream conservative Republican efforts at substantial criminal justice reform.
Regardless of what happens with Christie in the future, the drug reform community hopes he will continue backing policy reform efforts in New Jersey until the drug war and all its horrors – drug cartels, violent crime, corruption, rampant civil liberties abuses, drug related disease and deaths, discrimination and perpetual incarceration of minorities, militarized police, unnecessarily aggressive SWAT tactics, destruction of communities and families, and the hemorrhaging of billions of dollars – come to a merciless end.
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