Winter has arrived, and as we conclude another decade, we are optimistic about the future. This last year saw many advances in drug policy reform, including an official statement by the federal government to stop raids on medical marijuana patients and providers in compliance with state law, reforms to New York's Rockefeller drug laws, and the repeal of the federal ban on needle exchange.  With such great momentum, 2010 promises to generate even more positive reforms.  |
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Legislators Participate at International Drug Policy Reform Conference The VCL arranged for key state legislators from around the U.S. to attend and participate in the 2009 International Drug Policy Reform Conference in Albuquerque, which attracted more than 1,500 reformers from around the world. Legislators from California, Wisconsin, Maryland, Rhode Island, New Mexico and Washington gave their “insider’s view†of legislative efforts to reform drug laws in their respective states. The VCL also convened a special luncheon at the conference for the legislators to discuss their efforts with one other and to strategize for the future. (Pictured: Maryland Delegate Curt Anderson, VCL Executive Director and Washington Representative Roger Goodman, Wisconsin Senator Lena Taylor.)  |
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Gathering of International Reformers The 2009 International Drug Policy Reform Conference also provided an opportunity for the VCL to bring together two dozen of the world’s leading drug policy reformers for a working dinner full of lively discussion of international drug policy trends, “messaging†strategies and plans for future collaboration. Much of the discussion centered around the release of a seminal report by the British organization, Transform, entitled, After the War on Drugs: Blueprint for Regulation.  |
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State Highlight Reform in Colorado The Colorado Commission on Criminal & Juvenile Justice issued recommendations in November 2009 to reduce penalties for possession of cannabis and other illegal drugs. Key recommendations include reducing possession of up to 4 ounces of cannabis from a misdemeanor to a petty offense, and possession of 8 to 16 ounces from a felony to a misdemeanor. The Colorado Legislature w ill likely enact many of the Commission’s recommendations in the upcoming legislative session. The Commission’s work was the result of years of effort by the Colorado Bar Association’s Criminal Sentencing Project, an initiative formed and pursued with the guidance of the VCL. The VCL continues to consult very closely with leading legislators in Colorado to bring about further reforms.  |
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Donate Now for 2009 Tax Deductible Contribution The VCL heartily appreciates your support to continue our important work organizing lawyers, judges, legislators and other opinion leaders from across the country and around the world.  Without your generous support and participation the VCL could not carry on its timely reform efforts at this critical time. The drug policy environment is rapidly transforming and we eagerly look forward to 2010, with numerous events being planned, including by the State Bar of Wisconsin, the New York City Bar Association, the Massachusetts Bar Association and other legal and professional groups in other states. Please help further our efforts with a year-end donation, which will be deductible from your 2009 tax return.  |
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|   First Thursday Open Houses Thursday, January 7th, 2010
3:00pm to 6:00pm The VCL is committed to a vigorous public dialogue about our drug policies and workable alternatives. We encourage you to stop by and chat with us, borrow from our extensive drug policy library or come to our monthly open house gatherings. Each First Thursday of the month, in conjunction with Seattle’s First Thursday Art Walk in Pioneer Square, the VCL welcomes you to stop by the office to share intelligence with other lawyers and reformers and brainstorm on strategies for positive change. |
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