Neuroscientist Carl Hart: Science Says We Should Decriminalize Drugs

"We haven't had an adult conversation about drugs in America," says acclaimed neuroscientist Carl Hart, who's trying to do just that with his new book, High Price: A Neuroscientist's Journey of Self-Discovery That Challenges Everything You Know About Drugs and Society.

Hart, who is an assistant professor of clinical neurobiology at Columbia University, has both a personal and professional perspective on drugs. A former user and dealer, he's a featured character in Eugene Jarecki's The House I Live In, which explores, among other things, Hart's relationship with his son, Tobias, a drug dealer facing criminal charges. Hart's new book, which makes a case for decriminalization, is both a memoir and an exploration of the latest research on the neuroscience of drug use.

Hart spoke at an event held on June 21, 2013 at Reason's L.A. headquarters.

For more drug policy coverage, check out Reason's new feature-length documentary, America's Longest War.

Reason's Matt Welch sat down with Eugene Jarecki to discuss The House I Live In back in October 2012.

About 22 minutes.

Filmed by Tracy Oppenheimer and Paul Feine. Edited by Sharif Matar.

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