something like 84% of hydrocodone products in the whole world are consumed by americans though we constitute less than 5% of global population. these drug prevention groups appear to be been co-opted by the industry and are focusing on marijuana. in reading the reporting, it struck me in the relative scheme of things, they could be spending a lot more money on this. you re talking about hundreds of thousands of dollars. if these groups really did see marijuana as the threat that it appears they might or that it might actually constitute in bottom-line terms, imagine they d start running $10 million. it s a superpac, or could be going after the politicians who are pro-legalization. chris, remember that many of these groups they fund do not disclose their donors. i was able to find some of the money, not all of it. the second thing is, my piece explores many of the special interest groups. law enforcement is spending big bucks this year lobbying against marijuana reform laws, decrimi
prescribed in america. something like 84% of hydrocodone products in the whole world are consumed by americans though we constitute less than 5% of global population. these drug prevention groups appear to be been co-opted by the industry and are focusing on marijuana. in reading the reporting, it struck me in the relative scheme of things, they could be spending a lot more money on this. you re talking about hundreds of thousands of dollars. if these groups really did see marijuana as the threat that it appears they might or that it might actually constitute in botto bottom-line terms, imagine they d start running $10 million. it s a superpac, or could be going after the politicians who are pro-legalization. chris, remember that many of these groups they fund do not disclose their donors. i was able to find some of the money, not all of it. the second thing is, my piece explores many of the special interest groups. law enforcement is spending big bucks this year lobbying against m
marijuana reform laws, decriminalization, legalization, medical marijuana. so there s big money at stake and these interest groups have been willing to flex their muscle. lee fang from the nation. thank you so much. the subjects of the article that lee wrote, we talked about, is former rhode island congressman patrick kennedy, a man who struggled with addiction, particularly prescription drugs. as lee fang s article points out, kennedy s project, s.a.m., is the most visible group opposing marijuana law reform. joining me now is patrick kennedy. and mr. kennedy, why did you choose to make this the kind of cause of your post-congressional career? well, as you know, chris, i was the author of the mental health addiction equity act which went into effect on july 1st this year. that changes health care as we know it because now mental health and addiction will be covered like all other illnesses. and that is a sea change in health care. so i found myself going around