Tough luck, Mr. Harper
Liberals Block Canada Mandatory Minimum Bill
Ding, dong, the bill is dead! Canada's Conservative government has been blocked once again in its effort to pass a bill creating mandatory minimum sentences for drug offenses.
Personal Marijuana Use
marijuanaheart.jpg
Drug Cops Hatch Foolproof Plan to Arrest Every Teenager in America
[inline:marijuanaheart.jpg align=right]In case you haven't heard the news yet, it looks like police are going to win the drug war after all. Violence and corruption are bad enough, but if they're capable of something as sickeningly devious as this, I'm not sure I see the point in dragging things out any further.
the crowd listens in Mill Valley
California Marijuana Initiatives Starving for Cash [FEATURE]
A severe lack of funding could prevent any of the California marijuana reform initiatives from making the ballot. "Anyone got a spare $2 million?" the campaigns asked plaintively at a Mill Valley public meeting Tuesday night.
policesearch.jpg
5 Reasons You Should Never Agree to a Police Search (Even if You Have Nothing to Hide)
[inline:policesearch.jpg align=right]I have a new piece at Huffington Post breaking down why you should never, ever agree to a police search. It's a topic I revisit often, and each time I find a new audience that needs to hear this message. It's yet another tragic consequence of our all-consuming criminal justice conveyor belt that so many people have forgotten how to use their most basic rights at the time those rights matter most. If you're someone who assumes it's pointless to refuse a search because "they're just gonna do it anyway," then this article is for you. Please pass it along.
Vermont Speaker of the House Shap Smith is blocking a decriminalization bill. (State of Vermont)
Vermont Marijuana Decriminalization Bill Stalled
Even though the governor, the public safety commissioner, and the public all want decriminalization, Vermont's House speaker is blocking it, citing law enforcement concerns.
Haarlem, The Netherlands (wikimedia.org)
Haarlem Cannabis Cafes Reject Dutch-Only Member Passes
Cannabis coffee shop owners in the Dutch city of Haarlem are organizing to fight back against the Dutch government's pending Weed Pass plan that would bar foreigners and require Dutch citizens to join "members only" coffee houses if they want to buy weed legally.
Pot leaf_27.jpg
Detroit Marijuana Legalization Measure to Get Vote
A Detroit initiative that would legalize the possession of up to an once of pot by adults in private appears to be headed for a summer vote after the state Court of Appeals overturned a lower court decision blocking it.
Rhode Island State Capitol
Marijuana Reform Polling Well in Rhode Island
With decriminalization bills pending in Rhode Island, a new poll shows strong support for decrim and even majority support for legalization.
Kuching, Sarawak Province, Malaysia
Malay Couple Get Life for Half Ounce, Marijuana Plant
A life sentence for growing a pot plant!? It just happened to a Malaysian couple, but, hey, at least the judge suspended the caning.
Washington State House, Olympia
Marijuana Law Reform at the Statehouse 2012 [FEATURE]
This year is shaping up to be a busy one for marijuana legalization and decriminalization bills at state houses around the country. Here's the rundown on what's going on so far.