Topic: Drug Czar

The hosts analyze the political fallout of the *60 Minutes* report, which led to Tom Marino withdrawing his name for the "Drug Czar" position. They suggest the story was a coordinated "hit job" by the CIA-linked media to embarrass the Trump administration. They highlight a "kicker" at the end of the report revealing that the DEA actually dropped its opposition to the bill they are now complaining about.

A report links the creation of synthetic marijuana (K2/Spice) to government-funded research at Clemson University in the 1990s. During a public forum, a retired CIA analyst challenges Drug Czar Gil Kerlikowske, arguing that marijuana is far less dangerous than alcohol or tobacco. Kerlikowske maintains that legalization is not the answer and that marijuana is not a "benign substance."

The national drug czar reported that prescription drug abuse has reached epidemic levels in the United States. Recent data indicates that the number of people dying from prescription drug overdoses, specifically involving opioids like OxyContin, now exceeds the number of gunshot fatalities. The report suggests a shift in focus toward legal pharmaceutical abuse over illicit street drugs.

A government survey reports that illegal drug use in the U.S. rose to 8.7% in 2009, driven by marijuana and ecstasy. The "drug czar" blames media coverage of medical marijuana for the increase. The hosts point out the survey's omission of heroin and the decline in cocaine use, which officials attribute to education rather than economic factors.

Fox News anchor Shepard Smith is criticized for a report linking marijuana use to violence. The segment discusses the upcoming California vote on legalization and the federal government's stance under Attorney General Eric Holder.