Ethan Nadelmann

Ethan Nadelmann is the founder and former executive director of the Drug Policy Alliance, a leading organization in the United States advocating for drug policies grounded in science, compassion, health, and human rights. In addition to founding the Drug Policy Alliance, Nadelmann established the Lindesmith Center in 1994, a drug policy institute created with the support of George Soros. Notably, he also formed the Princeton Working Group on the Future of Drug Use and Alternatives to Drug Prohibition during his tenure as a professor at Princeton University from 1987 to 1994. His approach to drug policy has been influential, causing public figures like former Secretary of State George P. Shultz and Mayor Kurt Schmoke of Baltimore to rethink their views.

He is a prolific author with several books on international criminal law enforcement, including "Cops Across Borders" and "Policing the Globe" (with Peter Andreas). Nadelmann has also written extensively on drug policy, with publications in academic fora and in outlets such as Foreign Affairs, Foreign Policy, Science, and The Nation. His written work extends to op-ed articles and pieces like "U.S. Drug Policy: A Bad Export," "Drug Prohibition in the United States: Costs, Consequences, and Alternatives," and "Thinking Seriously about Alternatives to Drug Prohibition."

Nadelmann has been quoted in various media outlets, including The New York Times, The Washington Post, and Rolling Stone magazine, who referred to him as a leading figure in drug policy reform efforts. His advocacy for drug policy reform extends to public forums, including appearances on TV shows such as "Nightline" and "Larry King Live" and addressing the United Nations General Assembly Special Session on Drugs (UNGASS). He also spoke at the Human Rights Foundation's San Francisco Freedom Forum in 2012, focusing on the United States' incarceration rates and the impact of drug policies. In 2021, Nadelmann launched a podcast named "Psychoactive," deepening the discourse on drug policy, drug use, and drug research.

Nadelmann stepped down from his position as executive director of the Drug Policy Alliance in 2017 but continues to be a strong advocate for less restrictive cannabis laws in the United States and an outspoken critic of current drug enforcement practices.