As executive director of Students for Sensible Drug Policy, Aaron Houston oversees the work of a national staff that coordinates students on more than 200 campuses around the world. Named a “Rising Star of Politics” by Campaigns & Elections’ Politics Magazine in 2008, Aaron is a nationally recognized expert on drug policy and marijuana law having played a key role in pushing the Department of Justice to formally issue written guidelines on medical marijuana in October 2009. Aaron has appeared on NBC’s Today show, The Colbert Report, FOX News, CNN, and NPR, and his efforts on Capitol Hill were chronicled in a 2007 Showtime original documentary, In Pot We Trust. A Bloomberg News review of the film noted that, “Anyone wondering how lobbyists operate will benefit from watching Houston. [He] is … clearly comfortable with political combat.” Aaron attended the University of Colorado at Denver, and in his free time, he volunteers on behalf of homeless individuals and the food reform movement.
Posted on: May 20, 2013
On my way home from the office last week, this new print advertisement caught my eye. The ad, sponsored by DC public health officials, warns that if you use “fake weed,” you may turn into a zombie. This point is … more
Posted on: February 5, 2013
Youth Advocates Stand Alongside Coalition in Congress Introducing Marijuana Legalization Bill Impact on National Debate Will Be Substantial, Could Help Invigorate Young Voters Officials Note Students for Sensible Drug Policy hails creation of new “Sensible Drug Policy Working Group” in … more
Posted on: December 20, 2012
Here at Students for Sensible Drug Policy, we pride ourselves on being the largest global drug policy organization in terms of people power. However, we are far from the top when it comes to our budget, and that’s where you … more
Posted on: November 5, 2012
Yesterday, SurveyUSA and the Denver Post reported new findings on the chances of Colorado voters legalizing marijuana like alcohol tomorrow. In a memo to the Denver Post, the pollsters explained: “Passage would be driven largely by the support of younger voters, who sometimes … more
Posted on: October 24, 2012
In less than two weeks, voters in Oregon will have the opportunity to vote yes on Measure 80 (also known as the Oregon Cannabis Tax Act 2012), which would regulate the sale of cannabis to adults over age 21 and … more
Posted on: May 1, 2012
Washington DC – Mothers from around the country will join with law enforcement and students at the National Press Club on May 2nd in honor of Mother’s Day. The press conference will launch a new coalition of national organizations that … more
Posted on: April 4, 2012
Six National Drug Policy Organizations Call on President Obama to End Unnecessary Assault on Medical Marijuana Providers Coalition to President Obama: “It is time for a new approach on marijuana policy.” Contact: Aaron Houston, (202) 455-5869 WASHINGTON, D.C. — In the … more
Posted on: March 7, 2012
We’ve made speaking truth to power a priority at SSDP this year. Our very own chair of the SSDP board, Irina Alexander, led a heroic effort in New Hampshire to get all of the GOP candidates on the record about important … more
Posted on: December 7, 2011
We’d like to share our top eight triumphs of the year. Check it out! 8. Students ambassadors at United Nations We were granted official “consultative status” by the United Nations, which means we are the only US-based drug policy organization … more
Posted on: October 18, 2011
For the first time ever this week, Gallup announced that a majority of Americans support legalizing marijuana — and that young people are part of the reason why. ”A record-high 50% of Americans now say the use of marijuana should be made … more