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$75 Million in Marijuana Arrests and NYC Still Smells Like Skunk
[inline:newyorkmarijuanaarrests.png align=right]A new report from the Drug Policy Alliance reveals that New York City spent an eye-widening $75 million arresting and locking people up for marijuana last year alone. It's quite an achievement considering that concealed possession of small amounts isn’t even supposed to be illegal in NYC.
Obama's DEA Needs to Stop Raiding Medical Marijuana Dispensaries
[inline:wheelchair.png align=right]By now, you've probably heard about the DEA's full-scale assault on medical marijuana dispensaries in Montana on Monday. You're probably asking yourself what the hell happened to Obama's promise that state laws allowing medical marijuana would be respected, and I'm going to answer that question as best I can.
The Incredibly Simple Case for Decriminalizing Marijuana
[inline:plantpic.png align=right]It's so easy and obvious, even politicians can use it. In fact, here's Connecticut's Senate Majority Leader Martin Looney demonstrating how to discuss marijuana reform in terms almost anyone can understand.
The Drug Czar Shows Weakness in the Marijuana Legalization Debate
There's been much discussion recently about the Drug Czar's request to meet with the Seattle Times editorial board in an apparent response to this editorial endorsement of marijuana legalization. You can read here about how that meeting went, but I think this video more perfectly captures the absurdity of the situation:
Blogging Break
In anticipation of a busy Spring season, I've taken the opportunity to spend some time in Europe with my girlfriend during the final, miserable weeks of Winter in D.C. We've just arrived in Barcelona, and I'm guessing I won't be getting much blogging done for the next week or so. Alas, you'll have to go get your drug war news from Pete Guither, who I'm reasonably sure is not presently traveling in Spain, and who would probably still find time to blog even if he were. As for me, I shall return triumphantly by the end of next week I hope.
DEA Finally Admits Marijuana is Medicine
[inline:marinol.png align=right]If you thought they were going to issue a formal apology after decades of flagrant dishonesty, you would be mistaken. But the DEA is at long last conceding marijuana's incredible medical value…by giving pharmaceutical companies exclusive permission to make pills out of it.
If "No one goes to jail for marijuana," why keep it illegal?
There are so many stupid arguments against reforming marijuana laws that one could be driven to madness attempting to enumerate them, but there's certainly a place on the list for the claim that decriminalization is pointless because nobody gets punished for pot anyway:
Illinois Just Says No to Drug Treatment (Jails Will Remain Open for Business)
The idea that drug treatment is a more effective, more affordable alternative to putting drug offenders in prison is so popular these days that you can even find the President talking about it. Unfortunately, Illinois Governor Pat Quinn seems determined to prove everyone wrong:
The Politics of Incarceration Will Have to Change When the Money Runs Out
[inline:incarceration.jpg align=right]Reducing incarceration rates is a hot topic this month as state governments desperately seek to decrease spending. It's an important and encouraging trend, but one that gets predictably sidelined when certain interests exert malicious influence over the process. This example from Indiana pretty much sums it up:
Former Congressional Staffer Admits Mistakes in the War on Drugs
Kevin Ring has an appalling piece in The Daily Caller spelling out the careless and politically-motivated process through which new drug laws are created. This is some really jaw-dropping stuff.
Colombian President Is Cool with Drug Legalization
Though not the most stirring endorsement he could have given, Santos made it clear that efforts to legalize drugs won't meet with much opposition from him.
Holder's Latest Comment About Medical Marijuana
[inline:wheelchair.png align=right]The Attorney General seldom discusses federal policy regarding medical marijuana, so even a brief remark is enough to get my attention. His latest comments at an event in Missoula were hardly groundbreaking, but interesting nonetheless.
Medical Marijuana Isn't Grown by Mexican Drug Cartels
[inline:plantpic.png align=right]Dennis Romero at LA Weekly is supremely confident that medical marijuana laws are generating revenue for Mexican traffickers:
Reason.tv: How to Deal with Cops
Reason.tv has a fun interview with Flex Your Rights founder Steve Silverman.
Mexican Drug Traffickers Break Out of Jail Whenever They Want
As if you needed another reason to wince in exasperation at the total failure of each and every ongoing drug enforcement effort in Mexico, here we go again.
Hillary Clinton Says Drugs Are Too Expensive for Legalization
In an interview on Monday, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton gave a very precise demonstration in how to dramatically misconstrue the fundamentals of drug prohibition. It's one of those perfectly incoherent explanations that would be almost comedic if it weren't for the tens of thousands who get murdered in the streets thanks to logic like this.
Obama Opposes Drug Legalization, But Hasn't Explained Why
[inline:obamahead.png align=right]Having already commented on what I liked about Obama's comments on Thursday, I think it's equally important to take a look at what was missing. By acknowledging legalization as an "entirely legitimate topic for debate," the President has elevated the conversation still further into the realm of mainstream political acceptance, but with that comes a heightened obligation for our political leaders to clearly articulate and defend their positions. Obama's polite, predictable response leaves unanswered most of the defining questions in the drug policy debate and ultimately fails to address the concerns that make this issue a top priority for a large segment of the American public.
Obama Says Drug Legalization is "An Entirely Legitimate Topic for Debate" [Updated]
The staggering vote count and significant media coverage of the demand for discussion of drug policy in today's YouTube interview were too great to ignore.
If You Have Drugs, Don't Agree to a Police Search
It seems like such a simple concept, but for some irrational reason, a lot of people still don't get it. Here's another example of what happens when you give police permission to search your house for drugs: