New Website Promotes “Five Facts” About Drug War
A new website, GatewayEffect.org, is dedicated to promoting “Five Facts” about the War on Drugs that might change people’s minds: Marijuana is less addictive than coffee. Marijuana is a useful medicine for both body and mind. Marijuana, unlike alcohol, doesn’t lead to violence. Legal marijuana would cut government spending and increase revenue. Marijuana prohibition funds [...]
Here’s a topic for conversation – “Stroke of Insight” Ted Talk
I’ve come to understand that the two issues of mental health and global health are closely linked — if not one and the same. Similar processes we use to improve our mental health can help us make better, more responsible decisions as a society — by focusing on the compassion and integrity of our right [...]
10 Disastrous Consequences of the Drug War, by Tony Newman / HuffPo
The war on drugs is really a war on people. It is hard to imagine an issue that has caused so much damage to so many people on so many fronts. Thankfully momentum is building in the this country and abroad toward a more rational drug policy based on science, compassion, health and human rights. [...]
“Low Priority” says President Obama re WA and CO, or, Hope He Means It This Time
HuffPo reports today, “High Times”! The President has stated in an interview with Barbara WaWa that prosecuting recreational users is not a priority. He did not say anything about how he will treat the medical cannabis industry. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/12/14/obama-pot-washington-colorado_n_2299512.html ABC posts a video of Barbara Walters and clips of her interview with the President. http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/OTUS/president-obama-marijuana-users-high-priority-drug-war/story?id=17946783#.UMs4OaX8tbp
FireDogLake Speculates on Future Fed Moves
An amazing youtube has been posted on the blog Firedoglake, December 8, topping a post speculating about President Obama’s possible response to two states’ legalizing cannabis. While everyone wonders whether or not the President will send in the shock troops, the real speculation upon watching the youtube is why such a lightweight is head of [...]
How Much Has the War on Drugs Cost?
The U.S. has spent $1 Trillion on the War on Drugs – that’s $793 per second, or $25 Billion per year. Take a look at this infographic from OnlineCriminalJusticeDegree.com for more info:
Does Medical Marijuana Increase Teen Pot Use?
In states where marijuana is legal, for medicinal purposes, some law-enforcement officials have expressed concern about an increase in teenage drug use. When the U.S. Attorney for Colorado sent letters to marijuana dispensaries located within 1,000 feet of schools, asking them to relocate or close, he cited an increase in drug-related school disciplinary incidents [...]
New England Leads In Self Reported Use and Lowest Perception of Risk
By Steven S. Epstein This summer the federal government released “State Estimates of Substance Use and Mental Disorders from the 2008-2009 National Survey on Drug Use and Health.” It’s a state- by-state (including the District of Columbia) estimate of self-reported licit and illicit substance use and perceptions. This publication may be downloaded from: http://www.oas.samhsa.gov/2k9state/Cover.pdf. Once [...]
MassCann/NORML’s First professional poll in Massachusetts is completed
58% would support a ballot question that legalized marijuana and regulated it in the same manner as other agricultural commodities but prohibited sale to underage persons! MassCann/NORML with thanks to the NORML Foundation, donors (whether they did so directly for polling or by attending one of our many benefit events and the FREEDOM RALLY) conducted a [...]
April 29 – One Hundredth Anniversary of first Mass. law interfering with commerce in cannabis
April 29, 2011, marks the one hundredth anniversary of Massachusetts’ first law (see below) interfering with free commerce in Cannabis intended for human consumption. It was the first state law concerning Cannabis in the nation. The 1911 law required a prescription from a physician. Massachusetts’ medical users would benefit from returning to the law of 1911. It [...]
