DHS will protect Americans from foreign marijuana

In an abrupt aboutface the Department of Homeland Security, which is not the Drug Enforcement Agency, has made some interesting statements about the evils of marijuana.

Sounds more like a customs and import tariff problem than immigration law enforcement.

Via Talking Points Memo:

In an interview with NBC's Chuck Todd Sunday, DHS Secretary John Kelly said that marijuana was "not a factor" in the drug war (methamphetamines, cocaine and heroin were, he said). He seemed to change his tone Tuesday in a speech at George Washington University, according to a copy of prepared remarks provided by DHS.

"And let me be clear about marijuana. It is a potentially dangerous gateway drug that frequently leads to the use of harder drugs," Kelly said, adding: "Its use and possession is against federal law and until the law is changed by the U.S. Congress we in DHS are sworn to uphold all the laws on the books."

"DHS personnel will continue to investigate marijuana's illegal pathways along the network into the U.S., its distribution within the homeland, and will arrest those involved in the drug trade according to federal law," he continued. "CBP will continue to search for marijuana at sea, air and land ports of entry and when found take similar appropriate action."

And marijuana possession, distribution and convictions thereof, Kelly said, would be considered "essential elements" for ICE "as they build their deportation / removal apprehension packages for targeted operations against illegal aliens. They have done this in the past, are doing it today, and will do it in the future."