One of the most sensible arguments for a different approach the War on Drugs. Getting tough on drugs hasn't worked, lets get smart about drug policy.
From the article:
Three years before I became a Baltimore police officer in 1999, I started my research with the Amsterdam police. The Dutch approach toward drugs, by and large, works. Without declaring a war, authorities there have managed to lower addiction rates, limit use and save lives. The United States, by contrast, spends $50 billion a year on its war on drugs and leads the world in illegal drug use, with millions of Americans regularly using marijuana, cocaine and ecstasy.
Clearly, what we're doing doesn't work.
There is little violence surrounding the private drug trade between friends, coworkers and family members. The real drug problem, along with addictive heroin and crystal meth, is illegal public dealing. In public drug markets, signs of violence are everywhere: Intimidating groups of youths stand on corners under graffiti memorializing slain friends; addicts roam the streets and squat in vacant buildings; "decent" people stay inside when gunshots ring out in the night.
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In another neighborhood in Amsterdam, a man caught breaking into cars was released pending trial. The arresting officer returned to him, along with his shoelaces and personal property, his heroin and drug tools. I was amazed. The officer admitted he wasn't supposed to do that; heroin is illegal. But the officer had thought it through: "As soon as he runs out of his heroin, he'll break into another car to get money for his next hit."
For the addict, the problem was drugs. But for the police officer, the problem was crime. It made no sense, the officer told me, to take the drugs and hasten the addict's next crime. The addict was not a criminal when he had drugs (beyond possessing them); he was a criminal when he didn't have drugs.
I asked the officer if giving drugs to addicts sends the wrong message. He said his message was simple: "Stop breaking into cars!" With a subtle smirk in my direction, he added, "It is very strange that a country as violent as America is so obsessed with jailing drug addicts." Indeed, Dutch policymakers plan, regulate, fix and pragmatically debate harms and benefits. Police in the Netherlands are not involved in a drug war; they're too busy doing real police work.
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Without federal control, states, cities and counties would be free to bar or regulate drugs as they saw fit. Just as with alcohol and tobacco regulation, one size does not fit all; we would see local solutions to local problems.
Even without federal pressure, most states and cities would undoubtedly start by maintaining the status quo against drugs. That's fine. In these cases, police with or without federal assistance should focus on reducing violence by pushing the drug trade off the streets. An effort to shift the nature of the illegal trade is different than declaring a war on drugs.
Regulating and controlling distribution is far more effective at clearing the corners of drug dealers than any SWAT crackdown. One can easily imagine that in some cities -- San Francisco, Portland and Seattle come to mind -- alternatives to arrest and incarceration could be tried. They could learn from the experience of the Dutch, and we could all learn from their successes and failures.
Regulation is hard work, but it's not a war. And it sure beats herding junkies.
Peter Moskos is an assistant professor at John Jay College of Criminal Justice and the author of "Cop in the Hood: My Year Policing Baltimore's Eastern District."One of the most sensible arguments for a different approach the War on Drugs. Getting... more
"MPP - Argentina is expected to remove criminal penalties for marijuana possession today, according to the Buenos Aires Herald:
'Supreme Court Justice Carlos Fayt said the court has reached a unanimous position on an expected ruling that would decriminalize the possession of drugs for personal consumption, which would be announced analyzed today.'
If the court rules as expected, Argentina will become the second Latin American country in the last four days to allow the personal use of marijuana."
1.ref= MPP(marijuana policy project) Blog
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SC rules drug use punishment unconstitutional
In an eight-page writ unveiled today, the Supreme Court said it is unconstitutional to punish marijuana consumers, if that action does not harm third parties. The decision would put an end to a long-term debate, in which users had claimed that the incumbent drug law violated privacy rights.
However, the ruling of the Court would not mean a complete decriminalization of marijuana consumption as liberalizationists had expected, as the statement reached by an unanimous vote, specifies that only adults would be allowed to use marijuana as long as they do it in a private environment, and without affecting third parties.
The ruling also urged "all the state powers to implement a policies against the drug illegal trafficking and to adopt preventive health measures." Congress is thus expected to introduce amendments to current drug laws, following the new guidelines set by the Court
The government has backed the initiative to decriminalize drug consumers, as it would allow the government to focus its policies on drug trafficking networks instead of users. Cabinet Chief Aníbal Fernández said the decriminalization would allow users "to be treated as addicts instead of criminals."
Cont on link"MPP - Argentina is expected to remove criminal penalties for marijuana possession... more
Exclusive license has been granted to Univ of Mississippi for more than 40 years
Washington, D.C. -- The federal Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) last week for the “Production, Analysis, & Distribution of Cannabis & Marijuana Cigarettes.” Although the government has issued an exclusive contract to the University of Mississippi for more than 40 years, the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) is allegedly seeking competitive applications to "grow, harvest, analyze, store and distribute" cannabis (marijuana) "on large and small scales." The RFP also seeks applicants that can "extract cannabis to obtain purified phytocannabinoids," including tetrahydrocannabinol, otherwise known as THC, "prepare marijuana cigarettes and related products," and "distribute marijuana, marijuana cigarettes and cannabinoids, and other related products for research and other Government programs."
CLICK FOR FULL ARTICLEExclusive license has been granted to Univ of Mississippi for more than 40 years... more
This is heart breaking. How much good could have been done with that many plants? Go to the link, watch the video and cry.This is heart breaking. How much good could have been done with that many plants? Go... more
Now that Current has started to open up the features to allow those of us in the Current community to start our own cliques and allowing us to focus our interests I have started a new "group". I understand that there are other groups out there but I figured this way would allow me to see what interested whom and would be a way to bring some of the topics that seem to be questionable in other areas to one place.
With that in mind I have opened the Cannabis Culture group (special nod of thanks to Marc Emery) and I am inviting you to join.
There may be other groups like this so I make no claim to be the first or most original but I hope it meets with approval.
Let me know what you think. Good or bad.
Hopefully you'll like it.
'HeddNow that Current has started to open up the features to allow those of us in the... more
Law Enforcement Against Prohibition, better known by the acronym LEAP -- a group of current and former law enforcement officers -- is running a petition on its Internet site in support of Webb's commission. The petition and a video of Webb appear beneath the group's signature pitch: photos of Al Capone ("Alcohol Smuggler") and Pablo Escobar ("Drug Cartel"), accompanied by the line, "Same problem . . . same solution. Repeal Prohibition Now!"
LEAP's Norman Stamper, a former chief of police in Seattle, praises Webb as "a tough guy" and says "the hope is that an honest, very critical examination of drug laws will lead to the conclusion that prohibition doesn't work."
Little public opposition has emerged, though that might have more to do with the bill's uncertain status than anything else. In the meantime, Webb says he's been contacted about his proposal by the president and Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy, both of whom gave encouraging signals. And he is quietly amassing an eclectic band of supporters, ranging from the influential -- Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada -- to the surprising -- conservative Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina. On board, too, is Nolan, a former California state lawmaker who did time in the 1990s for racketeering. Nolan sees Webb's commission as a way to steer drug offenders to treatment facilities, rather than warehousing them in prisons.Law Enforcement Against Prohibition, better known by the acronym LEAP -- a group of... more
When President Obama addressed calls for legalization of marijuana during his March online town hall, he proved that "when the people lead, the leaders will follow," Internet activist Jim Gilliam argued Tuesday at the Personal Democracy Forum's annual conference. Leading up to the big White House event, citizens were asked to vote on economic questions they wanted the commander in chief to answer. The National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws spearheaded a grassroots effort to push questions tying Mary Jane to economic improvement and job creation to the top of the heap. [Read related Tech Daily Dose coverage here].When President Obama addressed calls for legalization of marijuana during his March... more
There's a new drug war brewing along the U.S. borders -- but this time it's coming from up north. As Mexico cracks down on its warring drug factions, dealers in Canada are battling each other for market share and dominance. Since March, drug-related violence has escalated, infiltrating towns and communities with little or no connection to drug dealers or gangs. According to the Los Angeles Times, drug dealers are sparing no one --" gunning down women (one in a car with her 4-year-old son in the back seat), high school students with no gang allegiances and, especially, one another, in broad daylight in and around the city that will host the 2010 Winter Olympics." What's driving the killings? Authorities told the LA Times it's a reflection of tougher enforcement in Mexico.
Authorities trace the violence to the recent government crackdown on cocaine traffickers in Mexico, which has squeezed profit margins for cocaine north of the U.S. border. Canada's outlaw retailers are fighting to the death over market share, police say, a situation exacerbated by personal vendettas and power vacuums left by the arrests of gang leaders.
"The war in Mexico directly impacts on the drug trade in Canada. . . . There's a complete disruption of the flow of cocaine into Canada, and we are seeing the result," said Pat Fogarty, operations officer for the Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit, British Columbia's main law enforcement agency targeting organized crime.
British Columbia has emerged as the new power player in the drug market, specializing in its "powerful" homegrown marijuana, better known as "B.C. Bud." The LA Times reports Canada's dealers are employing various techniques and devices to avoid police detection, such as
planes, helicopters, drug-sniffing dogs, X-rays and, in one case, a tunnel to move drugs.There's a new drug war brewing along the U.S. borders -- but this time it's coming... more
Medical experts are hoping the investigation into the sudden death of pop superstar Michael Jackson will renew attention on prescription drug abuse, a scourge that has cut short the lives of celebrities and opened up a new front on the war on drugs.
“There isn’t as much awareness as there needs to be,” said Lois F. Parker, a senior attending pharmacist at Massachusetts General Hospital. “I think it’s much more widespread than we realize.”Medical experts are hoping the investigation into the sudden death of pop superstar... more
June 28th, 2009 – Amid questions about the possible role of drugs in Michael Jackson’s demise, the US Drug Enforcement Administration Friday renewed concerns about rising deaths from misuse of prescription pills. Some people close to the 50-year-old pop icon revealed Friday they had been concerned for some time about his Picture 3use of drugs, a day after he collapsed and died apparently from cardiac arrest at his rented Los Angeles home.
In response to numerous calls triggered by the singer’s sudden death, the DEA put back up on its website a May report into prescription drugs that showed more than 8,500 people died from misusing them in 2005.June 28th, 2009 – Amid questions about the possible role of drugs in Michael... more
Do no harm. This is an oath that medical professionals take as they set out on their journey of supposed healing. Somewhere along the way there practices and vision become clouded by the perks and misinformation of some very persuasive pharmaceutical companies and many doctors get willy nilly with the old prescription pad. The pharma-cartels push the street level doctor dealers to move these drugs for them on a massive scale. These are real and dangerous drugs. Not a plant based medicine, but a chemically concocted compound that has the ability to alter minds, destroy physical health, and kill. Yet these pushers never find themselves facing criminal charges for their actions that often end up in the tragic deaths of their unsuspecting users.Do no harm. This is an oath that medical professionals take as they set out on their... more
To quote Leonard Cohen, “Everybody knows” – and according to media reports, everybody knows Michael Jackson abused prescription medications – legal medications that most likely brought about his death. Was Michael a troubled soul? It appears so. Were laws bent or broken in providing his access to these drugs? Possibly. Recent news reports suggest..To quote Leonard Cohen, “Everybody knows” – and according to media reports,... more
In an about face, the United Nations on Wednesday lavishly praised drug decriminalization in its annual report on the state of global drug policy. In previous years, the UN drug czar had expressed skepticism about Portugal's decriminalization, which removed criminal penalties in 2001 for personal drug possession and emphasized treatment over incarceration. The UN had suggested the policy was in violation of international drug treaties and would encourage "drug tourism."In an about face, the United Nations on Wednesday lavishly praised drug... more
The New Jersey Compassionate Use Medical Marijuana Act makes New Jersey the next in line to recognize marijuana's medicinal properties. 14 states have now acknowledged this.
Make sure to check out the video that goes with the article, too.The New Jersey Compassionate Use Medical Marijuana Act makes New Jersey the next in... more
Students and those who fondly remembered being students decades ago gathered on the South Oval for Hempfest on Saturday. Hempfest is an annual event hosted by Students for Sensible Drug Policy to promote the legalization of marijuana. This year's theme was the harm caused by the drug war. This year it carried on from noon until midnight.Students and those who fondly remembered being students decades ago gathered on the... more
When it comes to addressing America's disastrous war on drugs, the Obama administration appears to be moving in the right direction -- albeit very, very cautiously.When it comes to addressing America's disastrous war on drugs, the Obama... more
"Yesterday marked the first time in history that a nationwide poll showed majority support for taxing and regulating marijuana (at 52%). The poll, conducted by Zogby International at the end of April, was also one of the largest sample sizes of any national polls on the subject, with almost 4,000 respondents and a margin of error of +/- 1.6%."
Let's legalize it!"Yesterday marked the first time in history that a nationwide poll showed majority... more
San Francisco - Are Americans really ready to consider legalizing marijuana? This week, California's governor said it was time to debate the issue, and a new nationwide poll suggests a majority of voters favor decriminalizing the drug.
While legalization advocates say they've never seen such widespread public support for reforming marijuana laws, they still don't expect drug policy to change overnight. But, they say, the country appears to be at tipping point in how it views recreational use of marijuana, which is now legal in 13 states for medically-approved use.San Francisco - Are Americans really ready to consider legalizing marijuana? This... more
A bill to legalize marijuana has been introduced in the U.S. Aaron Houston, the only full time marijuana lobbyist on Capitol Hill, says taxing the drug will bring millions into the U.S. budget.
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Hell ya!! We've got to rally around this bill!! This is it, the time we've been waiting for!
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EDIT: Since I cannot find anything about a legalization bill on the federal level, they must be talking about the bill that has been introduced in California as it is so far the only recent bill to openly call for legalization and regulation similar to what we have for alcohol and tobacco now.
Link: http://norml.org/index.cfm?Group_ID=7814
This is not an April fool's joke like someone has claimed. There has in-fact been a bill to legalize cannabis, and it has been introduced in the US, just not on the federal level (I don't think the video intended to mislead anyone). There are several bills that have been introduced on the federal and state level that seek to both allow industrial hemp production (Federal: HR 1866) and in many states there are both medicinal marijuana bills and decriminalization bills being considered.
The following bills were on the table in the House for the 110th session, with similar bills expected when the new session begins (The next meeting of the Senate is Apr 20, 2009; the House next meets Apr 21, 2009.). How appropriate that they would start on 4/20!! LOL!:
KEY BILLS FROM 2008:
H.R. 5842: Medical Marijuana Patient Protection Act
The bill would have ended marijuana's classification as a Schedule I drug and allowed doctors to prescribe it for medical use. Additionally, this bill would have protected medical marijuana patients who use marijuana legally under state law from arrest and jail. H.R. 5842 was introduced on April 17, 2008 by Congressman Barney Frank (D-Mass.) and co-sponsored by Congressman Ron Paul (R-Texas) along with 22 other representatives. On April 17, 2008, it was referred to the House Subcommittee on Health.
H.R. 5843: Personal Use of Marijuana by Responsible Adults Act of 2008
The Personal Use of Marijuana by Responsible Adults Act of 2008 marked the first time in decades that Congress has considered removing criminal penalties for marijuana. Introduced by Congressman Barney Frank (D-Mass.), this bill sought to decriminalize the possession of up to 100 grams of marijuana and the not-for-profit transfer of one ounce of marijuana. On April 28, 2008, H.R. 5843 was referred to the House Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security.
Hinchey-Rohrabacher medical marijuana amendment
The Hinchey-Rohrabacher amendment would have prevented the Department of Justice from interfering with state medical marijuana laws. Congress failed to pass this legislation in 2007, but it did receive a record number of votes (165; we need a total of 218).
Visit MPP's action center and take action on new issues in the 111th Congress.
Link: http://www.mpp.org/legislation/A bill to legalize marijuana has been introduced in the U.S. Aaron Houston, the only... more
So these torches, for the bargain basement price of £50, can detect minute amounts of otherwise visually undectable cocaine on a persons face and hands. Officers in Blackburn are using them in bars to catch out unsuspecting drug users, whose faces turn bright green under the torchlight, should they have been naughty enough to partake in Bolivia's number one export.
Someones up in arms about invasion of privacy etc blah blah blah. which will make precisely no difference to the powers that be. However what IS interesting, is that JNE Marketing, distributors of the torch have pointed out that it is effective at detecting cocaine which is at least 87% pure. This to me, rather than a product to further the cause of stamping out this 'orrible substance, sounds like a great product for those who are tired of buying shitty drugs from back street chemists.
Thanks to the Metro and its tireless search for truth and justice, druggies (otherwise known as 'those in media') everywhere now have a failsafe against accidentally buying AJAX or talcum powder.
