War on Drugs
California Gov. Gavin Newsom Nixes Psychedelic Decriminalization and Cannabis Cafés
Newsom vetoed both reforms, which he deemed excessively permissive.
The Shady Statistics Behind the War on Painkillers
The government has doubled down on failed policies, citing deeply flawed studies and misrepresenting data.
The Sindex: Price of Booze Away From Home Up 6.6 Percent Since 2022
The Reason Sindex tracks the price of vice: smoking, drinking, snacking, traveling, and more.
Minnesota's Top Court Rebukes Cops Who Searched a Car After Claiming To Smell Pot That Wasn't There
In light of the state's marijuana reforms, the court says, the odor of weed is not enough to establish probable cause.
Sex Crime Victim Denied $69,000 Settlement Because Cops Seized Her Abuser's Cash Through Civil Forfeiture
The outrageous case has led to calls from Congress to pass legislation curbing civil asset forfeiture.
Weed Is Legal in Illinois. Police Searched His Car Anyway.
An officer conducted the search of Prentiss Jackson's vehicle after claiming he could smell "a little bit of weed." It ultimately resulted in a lengthy prison term.
Both Parties Agree the Marijuana Industry Status Quo Is Untenable
The SAFER Banking Act is trying to address dual legality of cannabis laws between the federal government and the 38 states that have some form of legal cannabis.
The 'Whack Jobs' Were Right
Plus: A listener asks the editors to weigh in on a hypothetical executive order to establish an American Climate Corps.
Cops and Reporters Are Still Hyping the Halloween Threat Posed by Strangers With Cannabis Candy
A 2022 Canadian case involving what looks like a stoned mistake seems to be the closest real-world example of this purported danger.
Despite Debunking, Rainbow Fentanyl Myths Continue
Just as there are adult reasons for vape companies to sell flavored vape pods, there are adult reasons for drug dealers to color their fentanyl.
On Guns, Drugs, and National Security, Dianne Feinstein Was Consistently Authoritarian
The late California senator always seemed to err on the side of more government power and less individual freedom.
The Truth About Ron DeSantis' Fentanyl Horror Story
The culprit is prohibition, not lax border policing.
Punishment Is Not the Point: Puzzle #9
"Gavin Newsom eating at French Laundry during a COVID-19 surge, for example"
Ban Teenagers From Social Media, Vivek Ramaswamy Says, Because Fentanyl
The Republican presidential candidate ignores the lethal impact of the drug policies he avidly supports.
A Study Finds 'No Evidence' That Decriminalization Boosted Drug-Related Deaths in Oregon
The researchers reached a similar conclusion about overdose trends in Washington, where penalties for simple possession were reduced in 2021.
Oregon's Drug Problems Were Not Caused by Decriminalization
Prohibition is at the root of the hazards that have led to record numbers of opioid-related deaths.
Washington State Prison System Sued for Using Unreliable Drug Tests To Put Inmates in Solitary
Reason reported in 2021 how prisons use cheap field kits to test mail for contraband—and use the faulty, unconfirmed results to severely punish inmates.
Erika Dyck: Are We Living in a Psychedelic Renaissance?
Historian Erika Dyck contextualizes the deep roots of and battles over LSD, psilocybin, and other psychoactive substances.
Hunter Biden Gets Caught in America's Double War on Drugs and Guns
Plus: A listener asks for the editors’ advice on how to spend his money.
My University of Virginia "Taboo Trades" Podcast on the "My Body, My Choice" Principle and its Implications
I took questions from University of Virginia law Prof. Kim Krawiec and a group of UVA law students.
Rick Perry on Psychedelics: 'These Are Medicines That Were Taken Away for Political Purposes'
The former Texas governor spoke with Reason's Nick Gillespie at the Psychedelic Science 2023 conference in Denver.
Fake Sudafed Is Bullshit, Just As You Suspected
Legal restrictions on pseudoephedrine have not reduced meth use, but they have driven people with colds or allergies toward substitutes that seem to be completely ineffective.
Rick Perry: The Conservative Case for Psychedelics
The former Texas governor on helping veterans with PTSD, increasing legal immigration, and the illegal drug he'd most like to try
The Secret History of Psychedelics
Historian Erika Dyck wants to document the deep roots of and battles over LSD, psilocybin, and other psychoactive substances.
The Best of Reason: The DEA at 50
For five decades, drugs have been winning the war on drugs.
Depressed by the War on Drugs? Magic Mushrooms May Help.
Research is promising, but drug warriors stand in the way.
DEA Finally Relaxes Prescription Transfer Rules
The change, while welcome, is modest and won't get rid of patients' headaches as they try to fill their prescriptions.
California Lawmakers Approve Bill Decriminalizing Magic Mushrooms
Plus: The Biden administration weighs a "remain in Texas" policy, California slowly but surely reforms its housing-killing environmental review law, and more...
Rick Doblin: The Man Behind the 'Psychedelic '20s'
The founder of MAPS talks about FDA approval for MDMA-assisted therapy and the "psychedelic renaissance" he has helped create.
35 Years Ago, a Judge Said Marijuana Did Not Belong in Schedule I. HHS Finally Agrees.
The 1988 case highlighted the DEA's stubborn insistence that marijuana has no "accepted medical use."
Jared Polis: Democrats Are 'More Pro-Freedom Than Republicans'
The Colorado governor finds common ground with many libertarians. But does he really stand for more freedom?
Comedian Shane Mauss: Shrooms, DMT, Joe Rogan, and the 'Psychedelic Renaissance'
Reason's Nick Gillespie talked with Mauss, a comedian who tours the country discussing his psychedelic experiences, at the Psychedelic Science 2023 conference.
Rescheduling Marijuana Would Leave Federal Prohibition Essentially Untouched
Although the HHS-recommended change would benefit researchers and the cannabis industry, it would not resolve the conflict between state and federal marijuana laws.
If You Need Pain Pills, Politicians Want To Monitor Your Body Chemistry
Our political leaders envision a future in which high-tech implants snitch about our use of painkillers.
Definitely Evil Agency: October 2023 Puzzle
"Airport purchase that could make you suspicious to the DEA"
Federal Appeals Court Rules Detroit's Asset Forfeiture Violates Due Process Rights of Drivers
A federal circuit judge writes that Detroit's vehicle seizure scheme "is simply a money-making venture—one most often used to extort money from those who can least afford it."
Review: Wonder Boy Chronicles the Life and Death of Former Zappos CEO Tony Hsieh
A new book handles the ill-fated CEO's story with respect.
Republicans' Dangerous Plans to Turn the War on Drugs into a Real War by Attacking Mexico
This awful idea is increasingly popular on the right, and has been embraced by several GOP presidential candidates.
What Rescheduling Marijuana Would and Wouldn't Do
Although it would leave federal prohibition essentially untouched, the change would facilitate medical research and dramatically reduce taxes on state-licensed suppliers.
HHS Asks DEA To Reclassify Cannabis as Equivalent to Testosterone and Codeine Tylenol
Plus: Tennessee prosecutor threatens to use drag law that was declared unconstitutional, ACLU asks FTC to investigate Mastercard's adult content policy, and more...
Rick Perry: The Conservative Case for Psychedelic Medicine
The former Texas governor on helping veterans with PTSD, increasing legal immigration, and the illegal drug he'd most like to try
Government Continues To Deny Its Role in Adderall Shortage
While schoolchildren go without needed medication, government agencies shirk responsibility by blaming manufacturers.
A GOP Consensus Emerges: Militarize the Border
In last night's Republican presidential debate, candidates floated various forms of military action against drug cartels.
Politicians Continue To Make a Mockery of 'Emergency Spending'
Legislators abuse the emergency label to push through spending that would otherwise violate budget constraints.
Rick Doblin: 'Welcome to the Psychedelic '20s!'
Reason's Nick Gillespie talked with MAPS founder Rick Doblin about the imminent FDA approval of MDMA- and psilocybin-assisted therapy at the Psychedelic Science conference in Denver.
