Travel writer Rick Steves joins ACLU in tackling issue of marijuana laws

Travel writer Rick Steves and the American Civil Liberties Union of Washington have formed an unlikely partnership to tackle a topic they call the equivalent of the alcohol-prohibition laws of the 1920s — the criminalization of marijuana.

Steves, who five years ago openly admitted to his own use of marijuana while in Europe, says he's not "pro marijuana" but in favor of discussing the laws that affect the 830,000 Americans who are arrested annually under existing marijuana laws. About 90 percent of the arrests are for possession.

Because the arrests disproportionately affect minorities and can have severe consequences for possessing as little as 40 grams (roughly the equivalent of two packs of cigarettes), the state ACLU received funding from the organization's national headquarters to create an informational program which they hope will be aired on television stations and the Internet.

Washington was considered a good state to launch a campaign to discuss marijuana laws because it's been on the cutting edge of drug legislation, having approved a law allowing medical marijuana use in 1998.

"We need the understanding to go beyond 'hard' or 'soft' on drugs and find a policy that is smart on drugs," Steves said. The existing drug policy is causing more problems than it solves, he said.

Some $7.5 billion is spent annually for marijuana law enforcement nationally. The arrests clog the courts and criminal-justice system, diverting resources from more serious crimes, according to the ACLU study.

Nancy Bartley: 206-464-8522 or nbartley@seattletimes.com