Democratic Party Platform Calls for End to Drug War, But Not Really
Substituting drug courts for prosecution unfortunately still often leads to incarceration.
Drugs
Florida Inmates Serving Outdated Drug Sentences Released Early Following Reason Investigation
A Florida prosecutor's office reviewed the cases and agreed to resentencing for nearly two dozen inmates, calling it "a matter of fundamental fairness."
Red-Pilled? Actually Most U.S. Drug Ingredients Are Made Here, Not in China
The Trump administration is spending big money to make sure America's drug supply chains aren't dependent on China. But that's not really necessary.
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.
The Weed Warriors Who Mistook Tea for Marijuana
The Hartes were the victims of a comically inept publicity stunt executed by cops who did not realize that hydroponic equipment could be used to grow tomatoes and did not know what loose-leaf tea looked like.
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).
Sen. Brian Schatz Says 'Libertarians Should Be Freaking Out About Portland.' Where Has He Been?
The Hawaii senator fails to fully consider the causes of bad policing.
Washington, D.C., Might Decriminalize Magic Mushrooms
The Decriminalize Nature D.C. initiative has gathered enough signatures to land on the ballot this November.
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.
Drugs and Ammo
A look at war through the lens of the performance enhancers that help make it possible
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.
'People Should Have the Fundamental Right To Change Their Consciousness'
Rick Doblin, a leading force in America's psychedelic renaissance, imagines a world of "mass mental health" facilitated by formerly demonized drugs.
Armed Agents of the State Shouldn't Be Enforcing Traffic Laws
Interactions between the public and the police should be kept to a minimum.
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
Hydroxychloroquine 'Is Not a Treatment for COVID-19. It Doesn't Work.'
The antimalarial drug is being removed from United Kingdom's RECOVERY trial evaluating COVID-19 therapies.
The Lancet's Hydroxychloroquine Study Is Retracted by Its Authors
The observational dataset on which it was based could not be properly audited.
Does That Malaria Medicine Work on COVID-19 After All?
A major study in The Lancet said it doesn't—but it may have relied on fabricated data.
As COVID-19 Spread, the Department of Justice Cracked Down on Immigration and Drugs
It was business as usual for federal prosecutors.
At Angola, Coronavirus Turns Life Without Parole for Selling Weed Into a Potential Death Sentence
Fate Vincent Winslow, who has never committed a violent crime, fears catching coronavirus in prison.
Feds To Investigate Death of Breonna Taylor After Botched Kentucky Narcotics Raid
Louisville Metro Police Department said officers identified themselves in a no-knock raid. Neighbors said that's not true.
Have a Good Trip Explores Psychedelic Celebrities
New documentary features Sting, Sarah Silverman, Anthony Bourdain, Carrie Fisher, and others discussing the good, bad, and ugly of LSD.
A New Synthetic Opioid Is Killing American Drug Users
But we can't ban our way out of the research chemical problem.
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.
Celebrity Criminals Are Leaving Prison Early Because of COVID-19. What About the Drug Offenders?
If officials want to ease the burden of the pandemic behind bars, there are hundreds of thousands of inmates who can help them do it.
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.
Hydroxychloroquine Trial for Treating COVID-19 Disappoints
"The best available evidence does not support the use of hydroxychloroquine in COVID-19."
Marijuana Federalism Web Events
Your opportunity to learn more about Uncle Sam and Mary Jane.
Rick Doblin: 'People Should Have the Fundamental Human Right To Change Their Consciousness'
The Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS) is making MDMA and other drugs medically legitimate and socially acceptable.
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.
Dump the FDA for a Healthier America
The agency has hampered widespread COVID-19 testing and the production of both protective gear and hand sanitizer.
FDA Approves Emergency Use of Hydroxychloroquine and Chloroquine to Treat COVID-19
The agency concludes that the possible benefits outweigh the risks.
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.
Philadelphia Safe Injection Site Opening Delayed
Blame angry neighbors, not the feds.
The Fruitless Narco Wars
A return to aerial fumigation in Colombia has some critics worried about a faltering peace.
Police Use Coronavirus To Try To Trick Meth Users Into Getting Themselves Arrested
Irresponsible, ineffective, and dishonest
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.
