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CU-Boulder Reminds Students to Have a Massive Pot Party on 4/20

by smorgan, April 16, 2009, 10:20pm
If you don't want 10,000 people to smoke pot on your campus on 4/20, the last thing you should do is send the

Obama Declares War on American Drug Users

by smorgan, April 16, 2009, 09:51pm
Speaking in Mexico today, President Obama embraced the exact hard-line drug war philosophy he rejected on the campaign trail:

Obama Creates New "Border Czar" Position, Cartel Leaders Laugh in Unison

by smorgan, April 15, 2009, 09:52pm
In case America's fixation with "czars" hadn't already become enough of a national embarrassment:

We'll Pay You $14 billion to Legalize Marijuana

by smorgan, April 15, 2009, 08:56pm
Our friends at NORML paid a visit to the Treasury Department today:

In the Future, Opposing Legalization Will be Political Suicide

by smorgan, April 14, 2009, 10:59pm
Check out this sweet attack ad Pete Guither came up with:

Mexican Ambassador Says Marijuana Legalization Should be Seriously Discussed

by smorgan, April 14, 2009, 09:56pm
Here's Mexican Ambassador Arturo Sarukhan on CBS' Face the Nation:

FOX News Says Marijuana Activists are "Internet Trolls"

by smorgan, April 13, 2009, 09:36pm
Recent months have brought an unprecedented level of positive mainstream discussion about reforming our marijuana laws.

Is the Obama Administration Planning a Federal Marijuana Crackdown?

by smorgan, April 10, 2009, 12:13am
In discussing strategies to reduce drug war violence in Mexico, Attorney General Eric Holder made this troubling remark:

Cheye Calvo Comments on the Passage of SWAT Monitoring Legislation in Maryland

by smorgan, April 09, 2009, 10:46pm
Berwyn Heights Mayor Cheye Calvo sent us his terrific statement in response to the new SWAT reporting law p

Berwyn Heights Mayor Cheye Calvo Responds to the Passage of SWAT Reporting Legislation in Maryland

by smorgan, April 09, 2009, 10:40pm

For immediate release:                                For more information:

Even Cops Are Getting Screwed by Inaccurate Drug Tests

by smorgan, April 08, 2009, 07:18pm
Via Radley Balko, this one is hard to believe:

Another Reason the Marijuana Debate is Moving Forward

by smorgan, April 08, 2009, 05:55pm

Nate Silver at the very cool polling blog FiveThirtyEight has another angle on th

Breaking News: Massachusetts Has Not Been Taken Over by Drug Maniacs

by smorgan, April 08, 2009, 01:16am
I visited Boston this weekend for the Northeast Regional SSDP Conference and was curious to observe that no one was smoking marijuana on the sidewalks

Idiotic Drug Policy Reporting Remains a Problem

by smorgan, April 08, 2009, 12:17am
This post from Pete Guither made me laugh twice.

Flex Your Rights

by smorgan, April 08, 2009, 12:01am
I've posted a couple new items in the Flex Your Rights blog recently that are worth checking out.

Honoring Good Cops Doesn’t Mean Ignoring Bad Ones

by smorgan, April 06, 2009, 11:10pm
I recently mentioned the controversy surrounding some drug cops in Philadelphia who've been stealing cas

Decriminalization is a Huge Success in Portugal

by smorgan, April 06, 2009, 09:14pm

On Friday, I had the opportunity to hear Glenn Greenwald speak at the Cato Institute regarding his Cato-sponsored report, Drug Decriminalizati

Why Does Everyone Think Marijuana Legalization is Politically Risky?

by smorgan, April 02, 2009, 09:35pm
Over and over again, you hear that same justification, "Well, politicians can't publicly support legalizing marijuana or they'll get voted out of office." It's the first thing ca

The Media's Approach to Marijuana Coverage Has Changed Dramatically

by smorgan, April 02, 2009, 06:48pm

This CNBC appearance by MPP's Rob Kampia is an exhibit in the rapid evolution of marijuana policy coverage in the mainstream press:

"So how's this war on drugs going?"

by smorgan, April 01, 2009, 09:07pm
Jack Cafferty at CNN punches the drug war in the face:

The Drug Czar's Office Doesn't Know What to Say About Marijuana

by smorgan, April 01, 2009, 08:35pm
Ever since Obama's awful attempt to duck the marijuana legalization debate last week, it's becoming increasingly clear to me that the issue of marijuana reform is a major challenge for the new

Obama Doesn't Know What to Say About Marijuana

by smorgan, March 31, 2009, 10:51pm
Pete Guither points to yet another prominent example of the Obama administration's glaring inability to explain t

Obama Compares Drug War to Alcohol Prohibition

by smorgan, March 31, 2009, 09:41pm
Via NORML's Russ Belville, CB

Joe Biden's Daughter Allegedly Caught on Video Snorting Cocaine

by smorgan, March 30, 2009, 09:46pm
The New York Post dropped a bombshell over the weeken

Maryland House Passes Bill to Monitor Use of SWAT Teams

by smorgan, March 30, 2009, 07:17pm
Cheye Calvo's efforts to bring transparency to the use of aggressive SWAT raids in Maryland are moving forward:

There are Many Different Kinds of Marijuana, But They're All Illegal

by smorgan, March 30, 2009, 06:30pm
Mark Kleiman, who we've often criticized for generally supporting drug prohibition, deserves credit for his

Obama Won't Say Why He Opposes Marijuana Legalization

by smorgan, March 26, 2009, 10:10pm
The overwhelming popularity of marijuana questions on the president's website has repeatedly forced him to address the issue, yet his answers are utterly lacking in substance.

Obama Insults Online Community for Supporting Marijuana Legalization

by smorgan, March 26, 2009, 04:14pm

At his Online Town Hall meeting this morning, President Obama joked about the overwhelming popularity of marijuana legalization questions on

Uh-Oh! Medical Marijuana Raid in San Francisco

by smorgan, March 26, 2009, 01:02am
Very unsettling:

Federal drug agents raided a medical marijuana facility in San Francisco Wednesday night.

Yet Another Chance to Ask Obama About Marijuana Laws

by smorgan, March 25, 2009, 08:55pm
So far, Obama's favorite thing about being president is getting to read all the marijuana-related questions on his website.

Marijuana Legalization Bill Introduced in Massachusetts

by smorgan, March 24, 2009, 10:25pm
Paul Armentano at NORML has the details.

If You Hate Gun Control, You Can Thank the Drug War for Causing it

by smorgan, March 24, 2009, 09:48pm

Escalating drug war violence in Mexico has brought recent attention to the fact that the cartels are often armed with American guns.

The Fine Line Between Drug Raids and Armed Robberies

by smorgan, March 23, 2009, 08:19pm
It seems Philadelphia's drug cops have adopted a nasty habit of raiding corner st

Sentencing Postponed in Charlie Lynch's Medical Marijuana Trial

by smorgan, March 23, 2009, 08:03pm
This is a potentially big development:

Obama to Reconsider Federal Blockade Against Medical Marijuana Research

by smorgan, March 19, 2009, 10:47pm
Wow, it's almost hard to keep up. Here's yet another potentially major breakthrough on the medical marijuana front:

Attorney General Holder Says Feds Will Respect State Medical Marijuana Laws

by smorgan, March 19, 2009, 08:14pm
At a press conference yesterday:

Former Drug Czar Doesn't Care if you Grow Marijuana

by smorgan, March 18, 2009, 08:40pm

From our friends at SSDP, here's video of former drug czar Barry McCaffrey sounding strangely agnostic about the marijuana debate:

Behind Bars in the Land of the Free

by smorgan, March 18, 2009, 08:11pm
The Cato Institute is hosting an online debate/discussion on incarceration, featuring posts from e

The Debate Over Medical Marijuana Should Have Ended a Decade Ago

by smorgan, March 18, 2009, 07:35pm
NORML's Paul Armentano has a piece at reason marking the 10th anniversary of the gover

Is it Even Intellectually Possible to "Oppose" Medical Marijuana?

by smorgan, March 17, 2009, 09:07pm
I was taking this online poll at The Chicago Tribune about medical

Police Dispatcher Fired for Giving Medical Marijuana to Sick Relative

by smorgan, March 17, 2009, 08:32pm
Via MPP, another example of the daily idiocy that will continue until medical marijuana use is protected throughout the country:

Ron Paul Murders Stephen Baldwin in Marijuana Legalization Debate

by smorgan, March 16, 2009, 07:17pm

Whether you love Ron Paul, hate Stephen Baldwin, or just like to watch videos on the internet, this is for you:

Police Lobby for Harsh Marijuana Laws

by smorgan, March 16, 2009, 06:58pm
Pete Guither points out that police don't just enforce harsh drug laws.

Pennsylvania Liquor Store Employees Will Now be Nicer to You

by smorgan, March 16, 2009, 06:49pm
Via Radley Balko, the irony is truly staggering:

Police Shoot Unarmed Marijuana Suspect

by smorgan, March 16, 2009, 06:24pm
As long as the war on marijuana continues, police will continue shooting harmless people:

New Drug Czar Appointed, Makes Ridiculous Remark

by smorgan, March 12, 2009, 10:01pm

At his nomination announcement yesterday, drug czar appointee Gil Kerlikowske got his first chance to practice saying stuff that makes no sense:

Ten Years Later, the United Nations Anti-Drug Efforts Have Accomplished Nothing

by smorgan, March 12, 2009, 08:37pm
…nothing, that is, except filling prisons around the world, spreading disease, empowering a worldwide network of organized crime, and killing lots and lots of people:

NBC Insults Marijuana Users

by smorgan, March 12, 2009, 01:26am
Once again, we find the press struggling to cover drug policy reform without resorting to derogatory epithets:

Propaganda Alert: Marijuana Makes You Bad at Video Games

by smorgan, March 11, 2009, 12:28am
If we thought the departure of drug czar John Walters would mean the end of wildly preposterous anti-pot propaganda, we were wrong as hell.

Are Republicans Turning Against the Drug War?

by smorgan, March 10, 2009, 11:52pm
Everyone knows Republicans love the drug war and Democrats are hippies who want to legalize pot. Right? Not necessarily.

Federal Prosecutors Seem Confused About Obama's Medical Marijuana Policy

by smorgan, March 09, 2009, 09:36pm
I'm hearing a lot of discussion about this odd story from the LA Times:

Why Are Democrats Barking About Rush Limbaugh's Drug Use?

by smorgan, March 09, 2009, 08:42pm
National Review Online has a good point here.

If Obama Supports Medical Marijuana, What About Hemp?

by smorgan, March 05, 2009, 09:47pm
On the heels of Obama's hugely popular decision to end the DEA's raids on medical marijuana providers, it's worth looking into some of the other absurd federal drug policies that interfere

Field Tests for Identifying Drugs Are Proven Wildly Inaccurate

by smorgan, March 04, 2009, 09:24pm

This is simply jawdropping:

SWAT Raids on Innocent People are Bad

by smorgan, March 04, 2009, 08:03pm
The Baltimore Sun reports on Cheye Calvo's attempt to bring transp

How Come the Dutch Smoke Less Marijuana Than Americans?

by smorgan, March 03, 2009, 10:49pm
You don't have to look very hard to find drug war zealots insisting vociferously that Dutch

California DMV Agrees to Let Medical Marijuana Patients Drive

by smorgan, March 03, 2009, 09:37pm
Everywhere you look, the irrational persecution of medical marijuana patients is going out of style:

Maybe a Quirky Folk Song Will Lead to Marijuana Legalization...

by smorgan, March 03, 2009, 07:23pm

Mexican President Surprised to Learn That the Drug War is Super Violent

by smorgan, March 02, 2009, 07:47pm
Does Felipe Calderon even know what he's doing?

Man Uses Fake Money to Buy Fake Drugs

by smorgan, March 02, 2009, 06:55pm
Via DrugWarRant:

Former Drug Warrior Now Lives With his Parents

by smorgan, March 02, 2009, 03:04pm
The power shift in Washington isn’t looking favorably on the folks who ran Bush's drug war. Oh, the irony:

Medical Marijuana Raids are Officially Over

by smorgan, February 26, 2009, 07:36pm

In a press conference intended to celebrate a series of DEA raids on Mexican cartels operating in the U.S., Attorney General Eric Holder was asked about the medical marijuana raids.

NJ Senate President Embarrasses Himself With Bad Pot Joke

by smorgan, February 26, 2009, 04:02pm

The New Jersey Senate passed a medical marijuana bill on Monday, prompting State Senate President Richard J. Codey to utter one of the worst pot jokes I've ever heard:

Colombia Threatens Obama With Cocaine Crisis if he Doesn't Give Them Money

by smorgan, February 25, 2009, 10:07pm

Dear President Obama,

Please give us lots of money or we will bury you in cocaine.

Yours truly,

Colombia

Kellogg's Stock Takes Big Hit After Phelps Bong Controversy

by smorgan, February 24, 2009, 10:26pm

I'm no expert on the stock market, but this doesn’t look good for Kellogg's:

Cops Going to Prison for Botched Drug Raid That Killed Elderly Woman

by smorgan, February 24, 2009, 09:51pm
Justice was finally served in the case of Kathryn Johnston, as three officers were sentenced to prison today for their role

Disabled Iraq Vet Loses Home Because of Marijuana Arrest

by smorgan, February 23, 2009, 10:09pm
Scott West lost his legs fighting in the Iraq War and now he's lost his home thanks to the war on drugs:

Is a "Grow Your Own" Marijuana Policy Better Than Legalization?

by smorgan, February 23, 2009, 08:24pm
Mark Kleiman has an interesting post observing the rapidly evolving

Study: Marijuana Users Less Likely to Get Injured Than Non-Users

by smorgan, February 19, 2009, 08:59pm
A new study from Switzerland looked at substance use among people admitted to the hospital with injuries.

Police Raid Innocent Couple Because Their Son Had a Misdemeanor Marijuana Charge

by smorgan, February 18, 2009, 11:01pm
Radley Balko has the details of yet another ridiculously e

Maryland Legislation Seeks to Address Out-of-Control SWAT Raids

by smorgan, February 18, 2009, 10:47pm
Following the botched drug raid death of his two dogs, Berwyn Heights Mayor Cheye Calvo has gone from drug war victim to hero of justice.

Drug War Protestors Block Traffic Along Mexican Border

by smorgan, February 17, 2009, 11:48pm
Sandwiched between violent cartels and a brutal military occupation force, the Mexican people are understandably running out of patience:

Legalizing Marijuana Doesn’t Mean We Have to Legalize Horrible Crimes

by smorgan, February 17, 2009, 10:10pm
Calls for legalization in the aftermath of the Michael Phelps media frenzy haven’t met with much backlash, probably because the gold-medal winning bong-monger kinda breaks the mold as far as stoner st

Drug War Logic 101

by smorgan, February 16, 2009, 08:53pm
Pete Guither and

Sheriff Lott Gives up on Charging Michael Phelps

by smorgan, February 16, 2009, 08:21pm
Duh…

A Failed Drug Strategy Isn’t the Only Way DEA Wastes our Money

by smorgan, February 16, 2009, 06:55pm
Looks like someone forgot to tell DEA about the economic crisis:

Police are Trying Very Hard to Bust Michael Phelps for Smoking a Bong

by smorgan, February 12, 2009, 10:20pm
Yesterday, we learned that eight people have been arrested in the aftermath of the Michael Phelps bong photo and the infam

USA Swimming Deserves Condemnation for Suspending Michael Phelps

by smorgan, February 12, 2009, 08:18pm
Amidst the massive backlash against Kellogg’s for dropping Michael Phelps, we’ve neglected to target USA Swimming, which suspended him even though they didn’t have to.

There are so Many People in Jail, They Literally Don’t fit

by smorgan, February 11, 2009, 11:10pm
The criminal justice system in California is rapidly approaching a breaking point:

Has Obama Made a Good Choice for Drug Czar?

by smorgan, February 11, 2009, 02:16am

The Seattle Post-Intelligencer is reporting that Seattle Police Chief Gil Kerlikowske will likel

Marijuana Probably Won’t Give You Cancer in Your Testicles

by smorgan, February 11, 2009, 01:59am
Everybody’s talking about t

Crazed Sheriff Arrests 8 in Phelps Bong Investigation

by smorgan, February 10, 2009, 11:43pm
There is just no limit to the stupidity that ensues when drug warriors develop a craving for attention:

Call Kellogg's Today: Here's the Number

by smorgan, February 09, 2009, 02:12pm

800-962-1413

Call now. They appreciate our feedback. At least that's what the operator told me when I called.

SNL Slams Kellogg’s for Dissing Marijuana Users

by smorgan, February 09, 2009, 01:21pm

And the winner for best response to the Phelps story goes to…

Boycott Kellogg’s! Fight Corporate Demonization of Marijuana

by smorgan, February 07, 2009, 09:35pm
The Kellogg Corporation's decision to drop Michael Phelps in the aftermath of the infamous bong hit photo i

The Drug Czar’s Blog Should be Used for Good Instead of Evil

by smorgan, February 05, 2009, 05:53pm
I noted last week that the drug czar’s blog deleted all of its old posts, essentially destroying the single b

White House Says Medical Marijuana Raids Will End

by smorgan, February 05, 2009, 04:20pm
Friends, this is a moment we’ve been anticipating for a long time:

Michael Phelps Faces Possible Prosecution for Bong Hit

by smorgan, February 04, 2009, 05:48pm
I swear, if you give these drug war idiots enough rope…

Ryan Frederick Found Guilty of Voluntary Manslaughter

by smorgan, February 04, 2009, 04:41pm
Well, it could have been a lot worse:

The Killing of Cheye Calvo’s Dogs is a Story That Won’t Go Away

by smorgan, February 04, 2009, 03:26pm
Washington Post has a

Ryan Frederick Trial Goes to the Jury

by smorgan, February 04, 2009, 01:21am
We should be seeing a verdict soon in the case of Ryan Frederick, the Virginia man who was charged with murder for killing a

Medical Marijuana Raids Continue, Time for Action from Obama

by smorgan, February 03, 2009, 11:19pm
Looks like DEA is trying to force a showdown with the new administration:

Support for Marijuana Legalization is Growing in America

by smorgan, February 02, 2009, 09:27pm

A new CBS/NYT poll finds that 41% of Americans agree that marijuana use should be legalized.

The Bong Hit Heard Around the World

by smorgan, February 02, 2009, 08:05pm

In case you missed it, Olympic badass Michael Phelps got photographed taking bong hits at a party and nothing will ever be the same.

What Happened to the Drug Czar’s Blog?

by smorgan, January 30, 2009, 03:32pm
I was delighted to notice this evening that the drug czar’s blog, Pushingback.com seems to have removed every post written p

How Not to Legalize Marijuana

by smorgan, January 29, 2009, 12:56am
Via reason, I’d like to introduce you to Antoine Blalock, who may be the worst activist in the history of drug policy reform:<

Obama Appoints Temporary Drug Czar

by smorgan, January 27, 2009, 09:17pm
Amidst the inauguration fanfare, we failed to notice that Obama immediately appointed ONDCP’s general counsel Ed Jurith to serve as acting director, i.e. drug czar.

Mexican Drug Cartels Dissolve Corpses in Vats of Acid

by smorgan, January 27, 2009, 08:20pm
Lately, the drug war is sounding less and less like an actual government policy and more like a distopian future from a science fiction movie:

The World's Smallest Marijuana Joint

by smorgan, January 26, 2009, 09:39pm
Police don’t just get the facts wrong about the dangers of marijuana and the impact of commonsense reforms like decriminalization.

Norm Stamper is Awesome

by smorgan, January 26, 2009, 08:00pm

Here's another old LEAP video that's been making the rounds this week:

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