DC pot legalization foes get nailed for campaign finance violations, Vermont activists are joining forces to legalize it this year, the Congressional Black Caucus is going to concentrate on criminal justice reform, Kentucky is spending money to prevent opiate overdoses, and more. Let's get to it:
Colorado Governor Says Legalization Off to Good Start, But He's Worried About the Kids [20]. Gov. John Hickenlooper (D) told reporters Tuesday that despite his initial concerns, the state's marijuana industry is well-regulated and staying within the law "in almost every case." Still, said Hickenlooper, "The concern that we still have — that I still have — is whether young people will view this legalization as in some way saying to them that marijuana is safe."
DC Legalization Opponents Violated Campaign Finance Laws [21]. The DC Office of Campaign Finance has concluded that the anti-Initiative 71 group TIE DC ("Two is Enough, DC") violated several campaign laws in its effort to defeat the successful legalization initiative. It failed to register as a political committee, failed to file a financial report, and failed to include proper language in its campaign literature, according to the campaign finance office report [22]. The office is recommending that the group be fined $2,000.
Oregon Liquor Commission Seeking Public Comment on How to Proceed With Legal Marijuana [23]. The commission, which is charged with implementing legalization, wants to hear from interested parties. It has posted a survey [24] on its website asking the public for its input on how best to move forward. The commission is planning a series of "listening sessions" later this month.
Vermont Coalition to Regulate Marijuana Forms [25]. Groups of Vermont legalization supporters have come together to form the Vermont Coalition to Regulate Marijuana [26] with an eye toward getting a legalization bill passed this year. Coalition members [27] include the Vermont ACLU, the state Libertarian and Progressive parties, other state groups, the Marijuana Policy Project [27] and Law Enforcement Against Prohibition (LEAP [28]). A legalization bill last year morphed into a study bill, whose report will be released next week, but Sen. David Zuckerman (P/D-Chittenden) said he plans to introduce a legalization bill this session.
Harm Reduction
Kentucky to Pay For 2,000 Take-Home Overdose Reversal Drug Kits [29]. Gov. Steve Beshear (D) announced Tuesday that the state will provide $105,000 for three urban hospitals to buy 2,000 naloxone kits to send home with heroin overdose patients. "This project will allow us to get this medicine into the hands and homes of the people who need it most: heroin users and their families," Attorney General Jack Conway said at a Capitol news conference, standing with Beshear and first lady Jane Beshear. "They will be walking out (of the emergency room) with a medication that could save their lives." At least 723 Kentuckians died of drug overdoses in the first nine months of 2014; 27% of those cases involved heroin.
Criminal Justice
New Head of Congressional Black Caucus Promises Focus on Criminal Justice Reform [30]. Incoming caucus head Rep. GK Butterfield (D-NC) said at his swearing in ceremony Tuesday that the group will focus on criminal justice reform this session. "Thjere is a well-founded mistrust between the African American community and law enforcement officers," Butterfield said. "The statistics are clear. Video clips are clear. We recognize that the overwhelming majority of law enforcement officers put their lives on the line every day to protect our communities. Unfortunately, there are some officers who abuse the sacred responsibility to protect and serve by using excessive and sometimes deadly force when a less severe response is warranted. The CBC will seek legislative action to reverse this terrible trend." The caucus will also work to reform sentencing laws, he said.
International
At White House, Obama Pledges to Support Mexico in Fight Against Drug Violence [31]. Meeting with Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto Tuesday, President Obama said the US will stand alongside Mexico as a "good partner" in its fight against violent drug traffickers and related problems. "Our commitment is to be a friend and supporter of Mexico in its efforts to eliminate the scourge of violence and drug cartels that are responsible for so many tragedies inside of Mexico," he said. Despite calls from groups such as Human Rights Watch [32] and the Center for International Policy's America's Program [33] for the US to hold Mexico's feet to the fire over human rights violations, corruption, and impunity, Obama did not publicly address those issues.