Drug Czar: No State Can Nullify Federal Marijuana Ban

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26. Perhaps the quote is being misread? 'Cause there's no controversy here

I oppose enforcement of federal pot laws 100%. Very pro-pot.

The quote in the article, however, is not referring to LOCAL law enforcement so it's really a statement of the law, and of the status quo

No state law trumps federal law, but a state can decide to not enforce federal law. New York dropped out of prohibition in the 1920s, outlawing use of state funds to enforce prohibition. But Treasury agents could still hassle drinkers in New York... just without cooperation from the NYPD or state police.

Gil Kerlikowske said enforcement of the Controlled Substances Act of 1970 — which ranks marijuana as a Schedule One drug alongside heroin, LSD and ecstasy — remains in the hands of the US Department of Justice. (CORRECT)

“No state, no executive can nullify a statute that has been passed by Congress,” the director of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy told a National Press Club luncheon. (CORRECT)

“Let’s be clear: law enforcement officers take an oath of office to uphold federal law and they are going to continue to pursue drug traffickers and drug dealers,” he said. (CORRECT, in reference to federal law enforcement officers. As to which LE he was referring to, the previous statements offer more than enough context.)