Why D.C.'s Police Union Endorsed a Marijuana Reformer

In November 2012, the head of America's largest law enforcement union declared his police officers were "universally consistent in their opposition" to liberalizing marijuana laws. On Thursday, the D.C. branch of that very same union—the Fraternal Order of Police—endorsed D.C. City Council Member Tommy Wells—the sponsor of one of the country's most progressive marijuana decriminalization laws—for mayor.

When I spoke to Tom Angell of the Marijuana Majority about the union's decision, he argued that the endorsement shows "working to change failed marijuana laws is a political benefit—and not a political danger—for candidates," and pointed to the union's demand for "better resource allocation," a common argument for drug decriminalization. Angell is right that Wells's push to change the District's pot laws haven't hurt him with cops, and also right that the endorsement is worth noting at a time when police unions elsewhere are fighting marijuana reform tooth and nail. But the endorsement is also a great reminder that policing is a very political business.