Science-Based Policy Means Decriminalizing Sex Work, Say Hundreds of Researchers
Plus: ACLU joins fight for donor privacy, Parler drops lawsuit against Amazon, and more...
Decriminalization
The Washington Supreme Court Just Decriminalized Simple Drug Possession. Legislators Shouldn't 'Fix' the Overturned Law.
The court said criminalizing unknowing possession violates the right to due process.
Virginia's on the Verge of Legalizing Marijuana
If passed, the bill would allow for legal possession by July 1.
Drugs Declare Victory in War on Drugs
States where recreational use has been legalized now include about a third of the U.S. population.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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."
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.
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.
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.
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.
What Americans Think About Prostitution Laws
Plus: Buttigieg ekes out a win in Iowa, Mitt Romney blows everyone's minds, and more...
Inside the Campaign to Legalize Magic Mushrooms in California
A ballot measure would create a regulatory framework for recreational sales.
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."
Pete Buttigieg Says We Should Decriminalize All the Drugs
“Incarceration should not even be a response to drug possession.”
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."
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.
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…
'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.
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...
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.
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
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.
Second U.S. City Decriminalizes Magic Mushrooms, Other Psychedelics
The Oakland City Council unanimously approved a city ordinance decriminalizing "entheogenic plants."
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.'
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.
Denver Votes on Decriminalizing Magic Mushrooms Tomorrow
A new frontier in rolling back drug prohibition
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.
The Lingering Stench of Marijuana Prohibition
People with pot records continue to suffer, even in places where their crimes are no longer crimes.
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."
Baltimore's Top Prosecutor Will Stop Prosecuting Marijuana Possession Cases
Whether the police will stop arresting people is another question.
Sex Workers Around the World Demand Decriminalization: Reason Roundup
Plus: Obamacare unconstitutional?
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.
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...
Don't Call 911 About Weed, Say Helpful Toronto Cops
...with a little help from "Distracted Boyfriend" guy.
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.
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.
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.
Tennessee Bill Would Make It Easier for Ex-Convicts to Get Jobs
Lawmakers are right to seek occupational licensing reform.
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.
New Jersey's Newly Elected Governor Wants to Legalize Pot
Virginia's incoming governor supports decriminalization.
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.
Atlanta Decriminalizes Possession of Small Amounts of Marijuana
A $1,000 fine and potentially six months of jail time becomes a $75 ticket.
The 28 States Where a Little Pot Can Still Send You to Jail
Tomorrow New Hampshire becomes the 22nd state to eliminate that possibility.