Criminal JusticeAsset Forfeiture, Collateral Sanctions (College Aid, Drug Taxes, Housing, Welfare), Court Rulings, Drug Courts, Due Process, Felony Disenfranchisement, Incarceration, Policing (2011 Drug War Killings, 2012 Drug War Killings, 2013 Drug War Killings, 2014 Drug War Killings, 2015 Drug War Killings, 2016 Drug War Killings, 2017 Drug War Killings, Arrests, Eradication, Informants, Interdiction, Lowest Priority Policies, Police Corruption, Police Raids, Profiling, Search and Seizure, SWAT/Paramilitarization, Task Forces, Undercover Work), Probation or Parole, Prosecution, Reentry/Rehabilitation, Sentencing (Alternatives to Incarceration, Clemency and Pardon, Crack/Powder Cocaine Disparity, Death Penalty, Decriminalization, Defelonization, Drug Free Zones, Mandatory Minimums, Rockefeller Drug Laws, Sentencing Guidelines)CultureArt, Celebrities, Counter-Culture, Music, Poetry/Literature, Television, TheaterDrug UseParaphernalia, Vaping, ViolenceIntersecting IssuesCollateral Sanctions (College Aid, Drug Taxes, Housing, Welfare), Violence, Border, Budgets/Taxes/Economics, Business, Civil Rights, Driving, Economics, Education (College Aid), Employment, Environment, Families, Free Speech, Gun Policy, Human Rights, Immigration, Militarization, Money Laundering, Pregnancy, Privacy (Search and Seizure, Drug Testing), Race, Religion, Science, Sports, Women's IssuesMarijuana PolicyGateway Theory, Hemp, Marijuana -- Personal Use, Marijuana Industry, Medical MarijuanaMedicineMedical Marijuana, Science of Drugs, Under-treatment of PainPublic HealthAddiction, Addiction Treatment (Science of Drugs), Drug Education, Drug Prevention, Drug-Related AIDS/HIV or Hepatitis C, Harm Reduction (Methadone & Other Opiate Maintenance, Needle Exchange, Overdose Prevention, Pill Testing, Safer Injection Sites)Source and Transit CountriesAndean Drug War, Coca, Hashish, Mexican Drug War, Opium ProductionSpecific DrugsAlcohol, Ayahuasca, Cocaine (Crack Cocaine), Ecstasy, Heroin, Ibogaine, ketamine, Khat, Kratom, Marijuana (Gateway Theory, Marijuana -- Personal Use, Medical Marijuana, Hashish), Methamphetamine, New Synthetic Drugs (Synthetic Cannabinoids, Synthetic Stimulants), Nicotine, Prescription Opiates (Fentanyl, Oxycontin), Psilocybin / Magic Mushrooms, Psychedelics (LSD, Mescaline, Peyote, Salvia Divinorum)YouthGrade School, Post-Secondary School, Raves, Secondary School
CorruptionFinancial Corruption, Glamorization of Criminality, Government CorruptionCrime & ViolenceCivil Conflict, Drug Trade Funding Terrorists, Increased Illegal Gun Prevalence, Police/Suspect Altercations, Property Crime, Turf WarsDisorderDrug Trade in Schools, Open Air Markets, Police-Community Tensions, Political InstabilityEnvironmental HarmDeforestation, Meth LabsFutile PursuitsBusts & SeizuresHarm IntensificationDisease, Increased Drug Potency, Overdoses, Poisoned Drug Supply, Popularization of Worse Drugs
AcademicsElectoral PoliticsBallot Measures (2010, 2012, 2014, 2016, 2018, 2020), Candidates/RacesFederal GovernmentCongress, Executive Branch (DEA, ONDCP), Federal CourtsLaw EnforcementLegal CommunityOur SideOrganizations (Changing Minds 2009, Changing Minds 2010, Director's Blog), Political LeadersPolitics Outside USCanada, Philippines, United NationsPollingState & Local GovernmentState & Local Executive Branches, State & Local Legislatures, State CourtsThe Drug DebateDecriminalization, Legalization (Legalization Supporters, Marijuana Legalization), Media, Medicalization, Moderates, Prohibition, Public Opinion, Regulation of Legal Drugs, Spending Priorities, Tax and Regulate, Treatment Not JailThe Other SideBarry McCaffrey, Jim Sensenbrenner, John Walters, Mark Souder
RI MMJ Act 1/3/06
Rhode Island became the 11th state to allow medical marijuana, a major 2006 victory in drug policy reform. The RI Medical Marijuana Act became law on Jan 3 2006, when the General Assembly voted to override Governor Carcieri's veto of the legislation. For more, see ripatients.org
nominee for best of 06
There were at least 2 significant medical marijuana related studies this year. One found no connection between even heavy marijuana use and cancer, contrary to the researcher's expectation, and causing him to think something in cannabis protects against cancer, to balance out the damage that smoking it should cause. The other suggested a protective effect against Alzheimer's. I don't think these were the only important new studies, but am not sure. Case studies in California suggest an amazing variety of medical uses. Insomnia is one (wish I could get my mother to try it).
Regarding this marijuana and mental illness deal, the social and financial and legal stress of being considered a 'criminal' would readily account for the small increase in mental illness symptoms being claimed, even if the claims are being made honestly. Their past record ain't good in the honesty department.
Post new comment