On Election Night, the Real Winner Was Drugs
Plus: Presidential results still unclear (but Trump declares victory in a few states anyway), California approves Proposition 22, and more...
Marijuana
Montana Becomes the 15th State to Legalize Marijuana
The ballot initiative allows recreational consumers to grow their own or buy cannabis from state-licensed stores.
South Dakota Voters Legalize Medical and Recreational Marijuana
It is the first state to do both at the same time.
Arizona Voters Approve Marijuana Legalization
The initiative makes Arizona the 13th state to allow recreational use.
Mississippi Voters Approve Medical Use of Cannabis
Mississippi is the 35th state, and the second in the Deep South, to recognize marijuana as a medicine.
New Jersey Voters Overwhelmingly Approve Marijuana Legalization
The constitutional amendment charges state legislators and regulators with writing specific rules.
News Outlets Are Increasingly Skeptical of Warnings About Marijuana Edibles in Trick-or-Treat Bags
Although the Halloween scare stories continue, journalists are starting to recognize the lack of evidence to support this mythical menace.
These DUI Laws Are an Irrational Hangover From Pot Prohibition
States should stop treating sober cannabis consumers as public menaces.
After Climbing 3 Years in a Row, U.S. Pot Busts Fell by 18% Last Year
The odds of getting arrested for consuming cannabis are getting smaller.
Here's Where Marijuana Is on the Ballot in November
Two states are voting to permit medical marijuana. Four are voting for legalization.
Marijuana Federalism
How do we resolve the cannabis conflict between state legalization and federal prohibition?
Democrats Scuttle Marijuana Decriminalization Vote Over Fears of Not Being Deferential Enough to Cop Lobbyists
If Congress is too afraid to vote on marijuana reform, how the hell are they ever going to pass policing reform?
Federal Proposal Would Expand Hair Testing of Job Applicants and Employees To Make Sure They Are Obeying Drug Prohibition
The method, which can detect drug metabolites for up to a year, does not measure impairment or recent use.
More Than a Year Before Breonna Taylor's Death, Some of the Same Cops Were Involved in Another Home Invasion Based on Dubious Evidence
The overlap suggests a pattern of shoddy investigation and reckless paramilitary tactics in Louisville.
The Cops Took This Guy's $15,000 Jeep Because His Girlfriend Allegedly Used It for a $25 Marijuana Sale
Kevin McBride argues that Arizona's civil forfeiture law is unconstitutional.
Democratic Party Platform Calls for End to Drug War, But Not Really
Substituting drug courts for prosecution unfortunately still often leads to incarceration.
Former Drug Warrior Kamala Harris Wants To Legalize Pot. Can She Flip Joe Biden?
Once a staunch prohibitionist, the Democratic vice-presidential pick is arguably the most libertarian senator on marijuana.
Mike Pence Comes Out Against Marijuana Banking Bill That Would Actually Save Taxpayers Money
The SAFE Banking Act is not a pork-barrel spending bill. Is that why it’s struggling?
Kamala Harris Is So 'Radical,' Trump's Campaign Says, That She Criticized Joe Biden's Criminal Justice Record. So Does Trump.
Harris and Trump are both right that the Democratic nominee has a long record of championing draconian penalties.
Democrats Wimp Out on Federal Marijuana Legalization. Thanks, Joe Biden!
The party rejects a position shared by two-thirds of the country (but not its presidential nominee).
Touching Your Phone While Driving Is Now Illegal in Idaho, Illinois, and Indiana
Plus: More (bad, weird, and occasionally good) new state laws that start taking effect today.
RIP Lester Grinspoon, Who Encouraged Americans To Reconsider Demonized Drugs
For half a century, Grinspoon tirelessly advocated a more rational and tolerant approach to marijuana and other psychoactive substances.
Adler v. Larkin on Marijuana Federalism
A podcast debate and discussion about the virtues and vices of Marijuana Federalism.
'It's Not Easy Doing Time in Here': Michael Thompson Shouldn't Die in Jail for Pot Crimes
Michael Thompson is serving a 40- to 60-year sentence for a pot crime in a state where both recreational and medicinal marijuana are currently legal
Weed Warriors Who Mistook Tea for Marijuana Will Pay Their Victims $150,000
After seven years of litigation, a Kansas couple finally obtains some compensation for a comically inept drug raid.
A Formerly Secret Memo Explains the DEA's Long Delay in Approving New Producers of Marijuana for Research
The Justice Department concluded in 2018 that an anti-drug treaty requires stricter controls than the DEA originally planned.
Despite COVID-19 Lockdowns, Licensed Marijuana Sales Continue in the Vast Majority of States With Legal Pot
Massachusetts is the only state that has closed recreational outlets while allowing medical sales to continue.
Marijuana Federalism Web Events
Your opportunity to learn more about Uncle Sam and Mary Jane.
New York's New Budget: No Legal Weed, No Fracking, No Flavored Vapes, No Police Transparency. But You Get E-scooters!
If only everybody weren’t stuck in their homes.
Ross Douthat: 'When They Take the Porn, You Can Curse My Name'
New York Times columnist and Decadent Society author defends prohibitionism in a conversation on The Fifth Column.
After a State-Authorized Medical Marijuana Patient Had an Epileptic Seizure and Crashed Her Car, Police Arrested Her for Driving With 'Marjuana in Her System'
The case illustrates the injustice and irrationality of Pennsylvania's "zero tolerance" approach to stoned driving.
Trump Attacks Biden on Drug Policy From the Left
It's an interesting strategy for a president who ran in 2016 on a Nixonian "law and order" platform.
Even in California, Nearly All Patients With Vaping-Related Lung Injuries Used Black-Market THC Products
A study in a state where marijuana is legal confirms the predominant role of cannabis products from illegal sources.
Bloomberg Drops Out, Demonstrating the Limits of Money and the Perils of Arrogance
The former New York City mayor has never been good at concealing his conviction that he is smarter and better than the rest of us.
Marijuana Federalism: Uncle Sam and Mary Jane
A book released next month will explore the conflict between federal and state marijuana laws, and what to do about it.
Israel's Prime Minister To Explore Marijuana Legalization
Benjamin Netanyahu is appointing a committee that will look into following Canada's example.
Marijuana Vaping Madness Is Reaching 'Reefer' Proportions
A new generation of marijuana prohibitionists is reviving old talking points with vaping products substituting for joints.
Thousands of Old Los Angeles County Marijuana Convictions Will Be Expunged
Nearly 66,000 cases are covered, dating back to 1961.
Bloomberg's Awful Old Quotes Defending Unconstitutional Stop-and-Frisk Are Coming Back to Haunt Him
The former New York mayor is being called a racist for his former support of searching young minorities without cause.
Is Joe Biden Getting Closer to Supporting Marijuana Legalization?
In New Hampshire, Biden says marijuana should be "basically legalized." That's an accurate representation of his proposed policies, but it also shows how he's lagging on the issue.
On Marijuana, Sanders Promises the Impossible, While Bloomberg Promises More of the Same
The former New York City mayor, who thinks legalizing pot is "one of the stupidest things we've ever done," nevertheless says "putting people in jail for marijuana" is "really dumb."
Canada Still Not Raking in as Much Marijuana Revenue as Planned
A lesson for other governments making legalization plans
The Austin City Council Voted for Marijuana Reform. Austin's Police Chief Says He'll Keep Arresting People.
Council member Gregorio Casar: "I think the state of Texas should come out of the Stone Ages and not only decriminalize but legalize marijuana in the state."
Yes, Rhode Island Should Legalize Marijuana. No, the State Shouldn't Run the Shops.
Gov. Gina Raimondo wants to sell weed to balance the state's budget.
Proposed Hemp Regulations Would Be a Nightmare for Farmers
"I would have to grow at least three times as many plants under the USDA rule to produce the same amount of CBD as I get out of one plant now."
New CDC Report Highlights the Risks of Black-Market THC Vapes
The vast majority of patients with vaping-related lung injuries who used cannabis products said they got them from "informal sources."
