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A Surprise Encounter With Former Drug Czar John Walters

by smorgan, June 30, 2009, 10:32pm
I've wondered a thousand times what I'd do if I ran into John Walters somewhere around D.C. I figured that the odds favored it happening eventually.

Obama Seeks Volunteer Drug War Soldiers

by smorgan, June 30, 2009, 08:58pm
Everybody loves volunteerism, but this is just nuts:

An Awesome Marijuana Debate on the McLaughlin Group

by smorgan, June 30, 2009, 12:01am

When you're seeing a discussion like this on the McLaughlin Group, you know marijuana reform has gone mainstream:

U.S. Admits Failure, Calls Off Opium Eradication in Afghanistan

by smorgan, June 29, 2009, 09:30pm
This is big news:

Boring Drug War Reporting From the Mainstream Press

by smorgan, June 29, 2009, 08:07pm

Last week, the UN released a major report that, for the first time, acknowledges and

LEAP Confronts The Drug Czar at a Press Conference

by smorgan, June 25, 2009, 08:16pm

Supreme Court Upholds Fourth Amendment in Strip Search Case

by smorgan, June 25, 2009, 07:32pm
Today, the Supreme Court ruled 8-1 in Safford Unified School District #1 et al v.

United Nations Argues for Decriminalization

by smorgan, June 24, 2009, 10:37pm

Despite opening with an attack on legalization, the UN's new

United Nations Admits that Drug Legalization is Gaining Support

by smorgan, June 24, 2009, 07:27pm
For many years now, drug war supporters have relied on a political strategy of pretending that legalization isn’t a serious option.

You Don't Need Drug Laws to Punish People Who Steal

by smorgan, June 23, 2009, 11:43pm
The idea that our drug policy should prioritize public health over law enforcement is such common sense that even the drug czar is comfortable saying it.

Police Raid Innocent Elderly Couple, Blame it on the Weather

by smorgan, June 23, 2009, 11:12pm
Police in Indianapolis burst into the wrong and terrified an elderly couple, but they have an explanation:

Police Applaud Themselves For Raiding Innocent People and Killing Dogs

by smorgan, June 22, 2009, 10:17pm
Police in Prince George's County, MD have completed their internal investigation of the

Marijuana Debate on CNN

by smorgan, June 22, 2009, 09:25pm

Is DEA Illegally Forcing Agents to Serve in Afghanistan?

by smorgan, June 22, 2009, 09:00pm
Interesting piece from McClatchy:

FOX News Says Marijuana Will Eat Your Soul

by smorgan, June 17, 2009, 10:24pm
Or something like that.

The Feds Are Giving Themselves New Drug War Powers

by smorgan, June 17, 2009, 09:56pm
You see, the reason the drug war is going so badly is because it needs more power:

Sharks Filled With Cocaine!!!

by smorgan, June 17, 2009, 08:34pm
It was really just a matter of time if you think about it:

How Many Innocent People Are in Jail on Drug Charges?

by smorgan, June 17, 2009, 12:00am
It's a question I've often pondered and one that anybody with strong opinions about drug policy should consider, regardless of where you stand on the issue.

Medical Marijuana Dispensaries Are Coming to Rhode Island

by smorgan, June 16, 2009, 08:53pm
It's official:

"Tough on Drugs" Politics Just Aren't as Popular Anymore

by smorgan, June 15, 2009, 10:18pm
The Rolling Stone piece I mentioned earlier also contains an excellent obse

An Embarrassing Interview With the Drug Czar

by smorgan, June 15, 2009, 09:24pm
Rolling Stone's June issue takes an in-depth look at the evolving political climate surrounding drug policy (a portion is

Charlie Lynch Sentenced to Jail for Medical Marijuana

by smorgan, June 11, 2009, 09:42pm
Today, Charlie Lynch was sentenced to one year and one day in jail for operating a medical marijuana c

Rhode Island Senate Votes to Open Medical Marijuana Dispensaries

by smorgan, June 10, 2009, 08:40pm
Legal access to medical marijuana could soon be coming to the east coast:

Drugs and Terror on the Daily Show

by smorgan, June 10, 2009, 07:36pm

Wrong Door Drug Raids Are No Laughing Matter

by smorgan, June 10, 2009, 06:53pm

I don't exactly understand what the agenda behind this video is supposed to be, but it kind of gave me the creeps.

Congress Calls on DOJ to Better Explain Medical Marijuana Policy

by smorgan, June 09, 2009, 11:01pm
Via Ben Morris at MPP:

No More $$$ = No More Prisons

by smorgan, June 09, 2009, 10:17pm
Amidst the surging debate over our nation's draconian drug policy and general over-reliance on incarceration, there is one important factor that even the most diehard law & order ideologues ca

Khat is a Harmless Plant. So Why is D.C. Trying to Prohibit it?

by smorgan, June 09, 2009, 07:01pm
As if we don’t already have enough crime problems to worry about here in the Nation's Capital, the D.C. City Council is trying to create one out of thin air.

Holder Renews Pledge to Respect Medical Marijuana Laws

by smorgan, June 08, 2009, 11:11pm
In case anyone forgot, the new administration promises to be nicer about medical marijuana:

Drug War Robots Are Not the Answer

by smorgan, June 08, 2009, 09:57pm
Time Magazine reports on the proliferation of flying drones that spy on drug smugglers from the sk

Bad Cops Caught on Camera

by smorgan, June 08, 2009, 08:15pm

Dear Men and Women of Law Enforcement,

Does America Have the Stomach for Legalization?

by smorgan, June 04, 2009, 09:46pm
Earlier this week, NYT columnist Nicholas Kristof used his Facebook page to start a lively conversation about legalizing drugs. This comment in particular caught my eye:

Does Smoked Marijuana Have Medical Value?

by smorgan, June 04, 2009, 08:39pm
Yes, lots. Caren Woodson at Americans For Safe Access takes a look at the research.

Drug Smuggling Scientists are Always Ahead of the Game

by smorgan, June 04, 2009, 07:06pm
The harder we try to stop people from sneaking drugs into the country, the better they get at doing it:

Comments, Bugs, and Spam

by smorgan, June 04, 2009, 06:57pm
In case you haven't noticed, we've got a weird bug in the site right now that's mislabeling comments.

If Pawlenty Wants to Be President, He Should Reconsider His Opposition to Medical Marijuana

by smorgan, June 03, 2009, 09:36pm

Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty has declined to seek a 3rd term, prompting speculation that he's planning to seek the Rep

States Don't Need Federal Permission to Legalize Marijuana, Part II

by smorgan, June 03, 2009, 09:23pm
Oh man, look what's happening in Los Angeles.

Top Anti-Drug Researcher Changes His Mind, Says Legalize Marijuana

by smorgan, June 03, 2009, 08:52pm
For 30 years, Donald Tashkin has studied the effects of marijuana on lung function.

Rogue Philly Drug Cops Add Molestation to Their List of Crimes

by smorgan, June 02, 2009, 10:13pm
Via The Agitator, it looks like the out-of-control narcotics unit in Philly that I keep

If There's No "War on Drugs" Anymore, Then What's the Helicopter For?

by smorgan, June 02, 2009, 09:52pm
If the new drug czar wants us to stop thinking of our drug policy as a "war on drugs" maybe he shou

Yes, The Case Against Marc Emery is Political

by smorgan, June 01, 2009, 11:59pm
In case anyone forgot, the U.S. Dept. of Justice is still trying to extradite famous Canadian marijuana activist Marc Emery for selling marijuana seeds to American customers.

LAPD Raids Its Own Officer in Weird Botched Investigation

by smorgan, June 01, 2009, 10:43pm
LA Times has the strange story of an LAPD officer raided by his own department.

Legalizing Drugs is an Idea That Speaks For Itself

by smorgan, June 01, 2009, 09:18pm
Opponents of reforming drug laws have often tried to dismiss our argument as some sort of carefully crafted conspiracy by "well-funded", "pro-drug" organizations seeking to manipul

New Drug Czar Doesn't Care About Medical Marijuana

by smorgan, May 29, 2009, 12:22am

In an interview with National Journal, Gil Kerlikowske didn't have much to say about medical

If Pure THC Pills are FDA-Approved, What's the Big Deal About Marijuana Potency?

by smorgan, May 28, 2009, 11:27pm
NY Daily News reports that incoming CDC Chief Thomas Freidman is

Research Proves Marijuana is Not a "Gateway Drug"

by smorgan, May 27, 2009, 11:04pm
The surging debate surrounding the legalization of marijuana has brought with it the resurrection of the "gateway theory," which alleges that experimenting with marijuana leads to the use of

Drunk Reporter Debates Marijuana Legalization in a Bar

by smorgan, May 26, 2009, 09:49pm

Ok, maybe she's just a little tipsy, but this is surreal either way:

Christian Science Monitor Advocates Teaching Kids to Support the Drug War

by smorgan, May 26, 2009, 09:31pm
Pete Guither patiently sifted through all the nonsense in this epic anti-marijuana-legalization rant at Christia

The Worst Argument Against Medical Marijuana

by smorgan, May 26, 2009, 08:38pm
NYT's Freakonomics Blog has a pro-con piece on marijuana decriminalization that includes this bizarre arg

New Drug Czar Doesn’t Even Know What Legalization is

by smorgan, May 21, 2009, 11:32pm
What better way to blow off the debate over legalization than to pretend there's no such thing?

Tom Tancredo Calls for Legalization

by smorgan, May 21, 2009, 10:38pm
Former congressman and presidential candidate Tom Tancredo is the latest prominent republican to come out in favor of ending the drug war:

FBI Director Gets Humiliated Trying to Defend Marijuana Prohibition

by smorgan, May 21, 2009, 07:32pm
This is priceless:

Marijuana is Illegal, But it Doesn’t Have to be

by smorgan, May 20, 2009, 08:08pm
The Amethyst Initiative is a coalition of college presidents who believe we should consider lowering the drinking age to help address the harms of underground drinking.

Mexican Jailbreak Proves the Cartels Can Do Whatever They Want

by smorgan, May 20, 2009, 06:40pm
Prohibition has made the drug lords so powerful that the jails won't hold them:

What's So Funny About Trying to Legalize Marijuana?

by smorgan, May 19, 2009, 10:45pm
Slightly less annoying than those who refuse to even debate marijuana policies are those who vaguely support our position, but still mock and insult us for caring about this.

Illinois Sheriff Caught Selling Lots of Marijuana

by smorgan, May 19, 2009, 08:11pm
Wow, you don't hear a story like this everyday. Oh wait, actually you do. Thanks to the drug war, dramatic incidents of gratuitous police misconduct have become painfully typical:

Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty Wants to Send Dying Cancer Patients to Jail

by smorgan, May 19, 2009, 07:42pm
We knew Gov. Pawlenty was likely to veto medical marijuana legislation due to pressure from law enforcement, but then the bill was changed so that only terminally ill patients would qualify.

U.S. Supreme Court Kills Effort to Overturn State Medical Marijuana Laws

by smorgan, May 18, 2009, 08:50pm
Good news! Something bad could have happened, but didn't:

Michael Phelps and Marijuana Legalization

by smorgan, May 18, 2009, 08:05pm
Phelps resumed competition this weekend, prompting Jim Caple at ESPN to call for a debate on legalizing mari

Pete Guither Will Correct Your Incoherent Editorial for Free

by smorgan, May 18, 2009, 06:59pm

This is funny.

Increased Marijuana Potency is an Argument for Legalization, Not Against it

by smorgan, May 14, 2009, 10:51pm
Here we go again:

Wall Street Journal Thinks Americans Still Love the Drug War

by smorgan, May 14, 2009, 07:41pm
Yesterday's Wall Street Journal interview with new drug czar Gil Kerlikowske is generating discussion

New Drug Czar Says "War on Drugs" Mentality is Over

by smorgan, May 14, 2009, 01:23am
In his first interview since taking office, newly appointed drug czar Gil Kerlikowske had some very interesting things to say:

CNBC Attacks Schwarzenegger For Endorsing Marijuana Legalization Debate

by smorgan, May 13, 2009, 08:24pm

Watch CNBC's Larry Kudlow go ballistic over Gov. Schwarzenegger's recent statement in favor of debating marijuana legalization:

DEA Agent Indicted for Framing 17 Innocent People

by smorgan, May 13, 2009, 07:42pm
Over and over, the very foundations of the war on drugs are revealed to be utterly fraudulent and corrupt.

Who Put Stephen Baldwin in Charge of Opposing Marijuana Legalization?

by smorgan, May 12, 2009, 10:18pm
CBS News has a pro/con feature today on marijuana legalization with a great piece from Ethan

Former Mexican President Calls For Drug Legalization Debate

by smorgan, May 12, 2009, 09:23pm
As Mexican President Felipe Calderon continues to escalate the Mexican drug war to previously unthinkable levels of death and destruction, his predecessor is saying we should think about ending prohib

Obama Claims to Support Needle Exchange, While Telling Congress to Ban it

by smorgan, May 12, 2009, 08:10pm

Can someone please explain to me what this means?

The States Don't Need Federal Permission to Legalize Marijuana

by smorgan, May 11, 2009, 08:58pm
I'm not sure I understand what Mark Kleiman means by this:

How Much Money is Marijuana Legalization Worth?

by smorgan, May 11, 2009, 07:39pm
I enjoyed this dizzying attempt by Mark Kleiman to quantify the actual potential

Obama No Longer Supports Needle Exchange Programs That Reduce AIDS

by smorgan, May 07, 2009, 06:42pm
On the campaign trail, Obama made clear statements in support of needle exchange as a proven means of r

Gil Kerlikowske is the New Drug Czar

by smorgan, May 07, 2009, 04:22pm
It's official:

The Drug Czar's Office Doesn’t Know What to Say about Marijuana Legalization

by smorgan, May 06, 2009, 10:45pm
I've previously noted the reluctance of the current administration to actually debate marijuana legaliza

Will Legalization Actually Reduce the Black Market? Of Course.

by smorgan, May 06, 2009, 07:04pm
Opponents of taxing/regulating marijuana and other drugs frequently maintain that there's just no way we can really cripple the black market.

Another Medical Marijuana Raid in California

by smorgan, May 06, 2009, 06:59pm
This is interesting/disturbing:

Arnold Schwarzenegger Calls for Marijuana Legalization Debate

by smorgan, May 05, 2009, 05:36pm
Considering that he vetoed a hemp bill in 2006, this is about as good a statement as I would expect from him:

Ethan Nadelmann vs. Steve Colbert, Round 3

by smorgan, May 04, 2009, 08:31pm

Ethan's really getting the hang of this. I thought this face-off with Colbert was his best yet:

Support for Marijuana Legalization is Huge in Canada

by smorgan, May 04, 2009, 08:23pm
Duh. Still, I was intrigued by the way they framed the question:

Support for Marijuana Legalization Continues to Grow in America

by smorgan, May 04, 2009, 07:44pm
A new ABC poll shows that 46% of Americans favor legalizing personal use of marijuana.

In Case You Haven't Heard Enough Cops Talk About Legalizing Drugs This Year…

by smorgan, April 30, 2009, 10:13pm

Here's Nick Gillespie interviewing Jerry Cameron from LEAP:

Obama Goes to War Against Afghan Opium

by smorgan, April 30, 2009, 10:06pm
In a renewed effort to stamp out the Taliban by cutting off their cash flow, Obama is sending 20,000 troops into opium producing regions of Afghanistan. It's going to be a disaster.

Seriously, Don't Try to Eat Your Marijuana if You're Pulled Over

by smorgan, April 30, 2009, 09:15pm
We've seen this before and it just keeps happening:

Mexican Senate Votes to Decriminalize Drug Possession

by smorgan, April 29, 2009, 11:08pm
Good news from Mexico:

Obama Supports Ending the Cocaine Sentencing Disparity

by smorgan, April 29, 2009, 10:40pm

Good news from Washington, D.C.:

Rhode Island Senate Votes to Create Medical Marijuana Dispensaries

by smorgan, April 29, 2009, 10:21pm

Good news from Rhode Island:

New Hampshire Senate Votes to Legalize Medical Marijuana

by smorgan, April 29, 2009, 10:00pm
Good news from New Hampshire:

CONCORD, N.H.—The state Senate has joined the House in endorsing medicinal marijuana use by residents with crippling ailments.

Minnesota Senate Votes to Legalize Medical Marijuana

by smorgan, April 29, 2009, 09:49pm
Good news from Minnesota:

Rep. Engel Introduces Bill to Create Independent Drug Policy Commission

by smorgan, April 29, 2009, 12:01am
This looks promising:

The Federal Government Grows Some of the Worst Marijuana in America

by smorgan, April 28, 2009, 11:34pm

This story from FOX Memphis provides a rare glimpse into the federal government's

Even Cowboys Want to Legalize Drugs

by smorgan, April 27, 2009, 10:03pm
This Washington Post story on LEAP

Jim Webb Says Marijuana Legalization is "On the table"

by smorgan, April 27, 2009, 08:50pm
I didn't get a chance to mention this on Thursday and I didn’t want any of you to miss it:

Sentencing Postponed in the Charlie Lynch Trial

by smorgan, April 23, 2009, 10:11pm

I spent all afternoon getting geared up to go ballistic over this, only to learn that nothing happened:
The sentencing of Morro Bay, California medical marijuana dispensary owner Char

Opposing Medical Marijuana is Politically Risky

by smorgan, April 23, 2009, 09:03pm
This new poll from New Hampshire casts further doubt on the rapidly unraveling notion that politicians must support harsh marijuana policies to get votes:

Poking Around in a Teenager's Panties is a Sick Crime (Unless It's a Drug Search)

by smorgan, April 23, 2009, 06:21pm
At age 13, Savana Redding was strip-searched by school officials who suspected her of possessing prescription Ibuprofen.

Wow, These 4/20 Celebrations Are Surprisingly Safe

by smorgan, April 22, 2009, 09:41pm
Actually, I'm not very surprised.

If You Think the Drug War Protects Young People, Read This

by smorgan, April 22, 2009, 08:42pm
CNN has a story on teenage drug smuggling that pretty much murders the notion that drug

Obama's Fraudulent Pledge to Respect Medical Marijuana Laws

by smorgan, April 21, 2009, 11:24pm
The legal plight of medical marijuana provider Charlie Lynch has provided a useful instrument with which to measure the new ad

Supreme Court Restricts Warrantless Vehicle Searches

by smorgan, April 21, 2009, 09:42pm

The Supreme Court's decision in Arizona v. Gant today was a pleasant surprise.

The Mainstream Media Wishes You a Happy 4/20

by smorgan, April 20, 2009, 09:27pm

NYT celebrates the annual marijuana holiday with a cheerful piece about how everyone loves marijuan

Baptist Pastor Assaulted After Refusing Police Search

by smorgan, April 20, 2009, 05:25pm

Cross-posted from Flex Your Rights

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