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Decriminalization

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Marijuana

Virginia's on the Verge of Legalizing Marijuana

If passed, the bill would allow for legal possession by July 1.

Sonny Mazzone | 2.3.2021 4:15 PM

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Drugs

Drugs Declare Victory in War on Drugs

States where recreational use has been legalized now include about a third of the U.S. population.

Jacob Sullum | 12.7.2020 6:00 AM

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Drug War

Biden's Drug Policies Are Still Oppressive

The reformed drug warrior opposes marijuana legalization and supports "mandatory rehabilitation" for people who violate the government’s pharmacological decrees.

Jacob Sullum | 11.11.2020 12:01 AM

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Drug War

America's Disastrous Drug War Is Finally Unravelling

Voters came out for legalizing marijuana, removing criminal penalties for psychedelic use, and treating drug addiction as a public health concern.

Regan Taylor | 11.5.2020 4:45 PM

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Drug Policy

Yesterday's Clean Sweep for Drug Policy Reform Suggests That Prohibition May Collapse Sooner Than Expected

Ballot initiatives continue to reverse marijuana prohibition while making the treatment of other drugs less oppressive and more tolerant.

Jacob Sullum | 11.4.2020 12:00 PM

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Decriminalization

Oregon Becomes the First State to Decriminalize Use of All Drugs

The initiative makes noncommercial possession of controlled substances a citable offense punishable by a $100 fine.

Jacob Sullum | 11.4.2020 12:00 AM

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Psychedelics

D.C. Voters Tell Cops and Prosecutors to Leave Psychedelic Users Alone

The ballot measure applies to noncommercial production, distribution, and possession of "entheogenic plants and fungi."

Jacob Sullum | 11.3.2020 10:31 PM

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Marijuana

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.

Jacob Sullum | 10.2.2020 3:20 PM

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Drug Policy

Oregon Ballot Initiative Would Decriminalize Low-Level Possession of All Drugs

Measure 110 would reduce felony convictions for drug possession by an estimated 95 percent.

Max Dunat | 8.21.2020 1:30 PM

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First Amendment

Supreme Court Can Put a Stop to Rule Compelling Anti-Prostitution Speech From Anti-HIV/AIDS Groups

The anti-prostitution pledge is unconstitutional when applied to U.S. nonprofits. But the feds say it's still OK to compel speech from these groups' foreign affiliates.

Elizabeth Nolan Brown | 5.7.2020 1:30 PM

Press conference for D.C. decrim bill in 2019

Sex Work

Only Tulsi Gabbard Wants to Decriminalize Sex Work, but Other Dems Show Signs of Progress on the Issue

"If a consenting adult wants to engage in sex work, that is their right," Gabbard says.

Elizabeth Nolan Brown | 2.10.2020 4:20 PM

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Reason Roundup

What Americans Think About Prostitution Laws

Plus: Buttigieg ekes out a win in Iowa, Mitt Romney blows everyone's minds, and more...

Elizabeth Nolan Brown | 2.6.2020 9:30 AM

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Mushrooms

Inside the Campaign to Legalize Magic Mushrooms in California

A ballot measure would create a regulatory framework for recreational sales.

Zach Weissmueller | 2.3.2020 11:40 AM

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Marijuana

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."

Zuri Davis | 1.28.2020 12:10 PM

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Pete Buttigieg

Pete Buttigieg Says We Should Decriminalize All the Drugs

“Incarceration should not even be a response to drug possession.”

Scott Shackford | 12.30.2019 12:35 PM

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Sex Trafficking

Andrew Yang Is Wrong About Prostitution

The Democratic presidential candidate wants to keep prostitution customers criminalized while "decriminalizing sex work on the part of the seller."

Elizabeth Nolan Brown | 12.23.2019 10:20 AM

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Presidential Candidates

Tulsi Gabbard: The Anti-War Candidate

She's not a libertarian, but Hawaii Rep. Tulsi Gabbard is shaking up the race for the Democratic nomination.

John Stossel | 12.16.2019 6:00 AM

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Reason Roundup

Ashley Judd and Seth Meyers Say They Want to Help Sex Workers. They Could Start by Shutting Up.

Plus: climate change defamation suit can proceed, trade deal inches forward, and more…

Elizabeth Nolan Brown | 11.26.2019 9:40 AM

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Decriminalization

'This Is a Culture War': Sex Work Decriminalization Bill in D.C. Draws 14 Hours of Passionate Public Testimony

From morning till past midnight, supporters and opponents of a bill to decriminalize prostitution offered starkly different visions of safety and rights.

Elizabeth Nolan Brown | 10.18.2019 3:35 PM

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Reason Roundup

Warren Says She's 'Open to Decriminalizing Sex Work'; Klobuchar Still Says No Way

Plus: Democrats talk LGBTQ equality, California cracks down on mini-shampoo, and more...

Elizabeth Nolan Brown | 10.11.2019 9:42 AM

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Drug Policy

Berkeley Might Become Third City in the Country to Decriminalize Shrooms

Next week, the Berkeley city council will consider a measure to decriminalize psychedelic mushrooms and other "entheogenic" substances.

Christian Britschgi | 9.5.2019 12:55 PM

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Drug Policy

Oregonians Are One Step Closer to Voting on Magic Mushroom Legalization

It would allow adults, age 21 and older, to visit official service centers on the recommendation of a medical professional

Ben McDonald | 8.13.2019 5:15 PM

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Decriminalization

Why Did New York Have to Decriminalize Marijuana Possession Twice?

The new law eliminates a loophole that allowed police to continue arresting people for something that was not supposed to be a crime anymore.

Jacob Sullum | 7.31.2019 9:00 AM

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World

South Africa Goes Halfway on Pot

Jillian Keenan | 6.24.2019 6:00 AM

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Drug Legalization

Second U.S. City Decriminalizes Magic Mushrooms, Other Psychedelics

The Oakland City Council unanimously approved a city ordinance decriminalizing "entheogenic plants."

Christian Britschgi | 6.5.2019 12:10 PM

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Decriminalization

D.C. Sex Workers Want Decriminalization—and City Council Members Agree

'We know what we want to do with our bodies, and we don't need government interference.'

Elizabeth Nolan Brown | 6.4.2019 6:05 PM

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Reason Podcast

The Inside Story of How Denver Decriminalized Magic Mushrooms

Decriminalize Denver campaign director Kevin Matthews speaks about his winning strategy and the new frontier of drug policy.

Zach Weissmueller | 5.24.2019 6:00 PM

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Drug Policy

Denver Votes on Decriminalizing Magic Mushrooms Tomorrow

A new frontier in rolling back drug prohibition

Christian Britschgi | 5.6.2019 2:05 PM

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Drug Legalization

Michigan's Legal Marijuana Market Will Be Uncompetitive With Illegal Dealers

The black market is how you get things done when government gets in the way.

J.D. Tuccille | 3.26.2019 12:01 AM

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Decriminalization

The Lingering Stench of Marijuana Prohibition

People with pot records continue to suffer, even in places where their crimes are no longer crimes.

Jacob Sullum | 3.1.2019 12:00 PM

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Sex Work

Kamala Harris Won't Denounce Federal Law That Harms Sex Workers, but May Support Decriminalizing Prostitution

"I think that we have to understand though that it is not as simple as that."

Elizabeth Nolan Brown | 2.26.2019 3:28 PM

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Baltimore

Baltimore's Top Prosecutor Will Stop Prosecuting Marijuana Possession Cases

Whether the police will stop arresting people is another question.

Scott Shackford | 1.29.2019 4:45 PM

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Decriminalization

Sex Workers Around the World Demand Decriminalization: Reason Roundup

Plus: Obamacare unconstitutional?

Elizabeth Nolan Brown | 12.17.2018 9:30 AM

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Public transportation

D.C. City Council To Decriminalize Fare Evasion on City Buses and Trains

The idea of decriminalizing fare evasion pits civil liberties advocates against the needs of a (partially) user-funded transit system.

Christian Britschgi | 12.4.2018 4:30 PM

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Election 2018

2018 Midterm Election Results Include a Lot for Libertarians to Like: Reason Roundup

Amash and Massie will return. Michigan will have legal weed. No Nevada brothels will be banned. And more...

Elizabeth Nolan Brown | 11.7.2018 9:30 AM

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Canada

Don't Call 911 About Weed, Say Helpful Toronto Cops

...with a little help from "Distracted Boyfriend" guy.

Joe Setyon | 10.19.2018 10:15 AM

Libertarian Party

Libertarian Party Adopts New Sex Work Plank, Becomes Only Notable U.S. Party to Endorse Prostitution Decriminalization

The LP's move comes the same week the Green Party explicitly rejected a platform that protects sex worker rights.

Elizabeth Nolan Brown | 7.2.2018 4:08 PM

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Marijuana

Texas GOP Endorses Marijuana Decriminalization

Republicans in one of the most conservative states in the union gave a thumbs up to rolling back marijuana prohibition.

Christian Britschgi | 6.18.2018 2:05 PM

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Sex Work

D.C. Candidates Battle Over Decriminalizing Sex Work

With the D.C. primary approaching, candidates are quizzed on a bill that would decriminalize prostitution in the district.

Leonard Robinson | 6.5.2018 2:07 PM

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Overcriminalization

Tennessee Bill Would Make It Easier for Ex-Convicts to Get Jobs

Lawmakers are right to seek occupational licensing reform.

Kayla Stetzel | 2.15.2018 2:45 PM

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West Africa

West Africa's Libertarian Moment

Jillian Keenan | 2.10.2018 6:00 AM

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Sex Work

The Best Sex Work Writing of 2017

We rounded up the year's best writing, reporting, and research on erotic industries, those who work in them, and how they're getting screwed by U.S. authorities and laws.

Elizabeth Nolan Brown | 12.31.2017 7:30 AM

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Marijuana

New Jersey's Newly Elected Governor Wants to Legalize Pot

Virginia's incoming governor supports decriminalization.

Jacob Sullum | 11.8.2017 5:40 PM

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Sex Work

D.C. Could Become Only U.S. City to Decriminalize Prostitution

A new bill would remove all criminal penalties in the District for buying or selling sex.

Elizabeth Nolan Brown | 10.5.2017 2:17 PM

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Marijuana

Atlanta Decriminalizes Possession of Small Amounts of Marijuana

A $1,000 fine and potentially six months of jail time becomes a $75 ticket.

Scott Shackford | 10.3.2017 12:05 PM

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Marijuana

The 28 States Where a Little Pot Can Still Send You to Jail

Tomorrow New Hampshire becomes the 22nd state to eliminate that possibility.

Jacob Sullum | 9.15.2017 6:15 PM

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Heroin

Will California Beat Seattle in Building a Safe Drug Injection Facility?

Lawmakers consider bill that lets eight counties experiment with safe spaces to use illegal drugs.

Scott Shackford | 9.7.2017 1:45 PM

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Drugs

Israel Decriminalizes Pot Possession

Jacob Sullum | 5.13.2017 6:00 AM

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