As the year winds down, we look back on the big stories in drug policy, from marijuana reform to climbing fatal overdose levels to sentencing reforms and beyond.
The New York Times discovers public pot smoking in its backyard, another Florida jurisdiction decriminalizes, Florida's medical marijuana program faces more delays, the drug czar calls the drug war a failure, and more.
Black Lives Matter "town hall" at the International Drug Policy Reform Conference, November 2015
A Mississippi medical examiner is claiming Troy Goode died of "LSD intoxication," the Massachusetts legalization initiative hands in signatures, the North Dakota medical marijuana initiative starts signature gathering, and more.
Drug Policy Alliance head Ethan Nadelmann provides a stemwinder keystone speech. (osi.org)
Initiatives aimed at next year are advancing, New Jersey's governor signs a medical marijuana access bill, Mexico's marijuana debate is about to heat up, and more.
Evo Morales' backers are contributing coca for the cause. (wikimedia.org)
LEAP endorses Ohio's Issue 3, another tribe wants in on the medical marijuana action, a West Virginia mayor calls fro drug decriminalization, backers of Bolivia's president are using coca as campaign contributions, and more.
Amsterdam takes an enlightened approach to Ecstasy use at electronic dance music festivals. (wikimedia.org)
Democratic contenders briefly touched on marijuana and sentencing policy during last night's debate, Ohio's largest medical marijuana group switches sides to endorse the legalization initiative, Detroit moves to regulate dispensaries, and more.
A hemp field. Someone needs to sit down and have a talk with the DEA. (votehemp.org)
Menominee tribal officials are scratching their heads after the DEA cut down their hemp crop, Ohio votes on legalization in one week, some new federal sentencing statistics are out, the Iranians may be thinking about legalizing marijuana and/or opium, and more.
Dispensaries could be coming soon in Michigan. Legislation is moving. (wikimedia.org)
The House leadership rolls out a sentencing reform package, new polls show pot legalization majorities in Florida and Ohio, the Duke City still can't have decriminalization, and more.