March 2016
Help Oppose CO HB 16-1344
Written by Sarah Diem, Colorado State Policy Intern and Chapter Leader of University of Colorado Denver Students for Sensible Drug Policy On March 16, 2016, House Bill 16-1344 was introduced to the Colorado House of Representatives. This new bill proposes the creation of a “special offender category” to be applied to drug suppliers of an illicit substance to an
My Experience at the International Cannabis Business Conference
Written by Lalitha Thirunagari, University of California Berkeley Co-Chapter Leader A few weeks ago I was given the opportunity to attend the International Cannabis Business Conference (ICBC) in San Francisco. Now being a college student, affording a seat to a conference like this seemed impossible. Thankfully, I was able to attend with Supernova Women, an organization that aims to create
Run for SSDP's Board of Directors
Consider running for SSDP’s board of directors! There are 5 seats opening up this year, so if you think you have what it takes to serve, apply today. Deadline is 11:59 (PST) March 25, 2016. Application: http://bit.ly/21EQql7 Details: http://bit.ly/1XWrdAs For questions or more information, please email stephanie.izquieta@board.ssdp.org.
SSDPers Lobby the Arizona Legislature
Earlier this month, SSDPers convened at the Arizona State Capitol to participate in a Legislative Lobby Day for the third consecutive year. Arizona State University chapter leaders Sarah Saucedo and Andre Maestas were there along with Arizona State Policy Intern Trevor Thornburg, and Arizona Campus Coordinator Cameron Oberlin. Also in attendance was Chris Wallis, alumnus of Kent State University’s SSDP
Host a Global Psychedelic Dinner for MAPS
Host a Global Psychedelic Dinner This April to Help Make Psychedelic Therapy a Legal Treatment By hosting a Global Psychedelic Dinner this April, you’ll join people around the world in gathering your community, hosting an open, personal conversation about psychedelics, and helping the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS)’ raise $400,000 for the purchase of one kilogram of pharmaceutical-grade (GMP)
Cannabis Cafes: Protecting Children and Safe Access
Written by Guest Blogger Edgar Diaz, Willamette University College of Law chapter leader The Oregon Indoor Clean Air Act prohibits smoking and vaporizing cannabis in public places and places of employment, which makes cannabis cafes illegal. Without cannabis cafes, medical marijuana patients and consumers will not have access to a safe place to consume cannabis. Exempting cannabis smoke from the Indoor
March Monthly Mosaic: Women and the War on Drugs
Women and the War on Drugs Though men are often seen as the primary targets of the drug war, women have long been on the frontlines. Women comprise one of the fastest growing segments of the U.S. prison population. Two-thirds of women in federal prison are there for nonviolent drug offenses. Three quarters are mothers—many of them sole caregivers. Pregnant women
SSDP at the 59th Commission on Narcotic Drugs
The 59th Session of the Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND) is scheduled for March 14 – March 22 in Vienna, Austria. Over the next several days, member states will start their final preparations for the upcoming United Nations General Assembly Special Session (UNGASS) on the World Drug Problem. SSDP is here with our allies in CSSDP, SSDP UK, YODA,
SSDP Advocates attend Georgia's 54th Annual Wild Hog Supper
Written by SSDP Board Member, Jeremy Sharp The “Wild Hog Supper” is a tradition in Georgia Politics. The event is held annually and is hosted by the Georgia Food Bank Association. The premise of the event is to serve as a means for legislators, lobbyist, and engaged citizens to mingle and talk about the upcoming legislative session. In partnership with
SSDPer Reflects on the Harms of Dishonest Drug Education for Youth
Written by Hayley Moran, University of Tennessee SSDP When I was in fifth grade, I won the D.A.R.E. essay contest and read my essay in front of the entire school. Now, I don’t actually have a copy of this essay (which I’m actually quite thankful for) but I can imagine that 5th grade me said something along the lines of,
New Mexico 2016 Legislative Wrap-Up
In New Mexico, the legislative session only lasts thirty days in even numbered years and sixty days in odd-numbered years. My overall takeaway after being at the Roundhouse for fourteen of those thirty days is that it’s an impossibly short amount of time to thoughtfully debate and vote on legislation. This system cripples meaningful debate and leaves the legislature impotent
Lightning Speeches at #SSDP2016
This year, at SSDP2016, Students for Sensible Drug Policy is looking for a few passionate SSDP students or recently graduated alumni to bring their “Vision for a Post-Prohibition World” during our first-ever Lightning Talks session. The event will take place at the end of Sunday, April 17 at 6pm to close out SSDP2016, an event that will bring together hundreds
SSDP Welcomes the Portland State University Chapter
Meet Cody Prouty, the chapter leader of Students for Sensible Drug Policy at Portland State University. He is currently a 3rd year studying biochemistry and psychology. Cody has always been interested in pharmacology, drug policy, and how stigma and misconceptions around drugs and drug users arise. This summer, he watched a lecture given by David Nutt and Amanda Fielding from
SSDP Welcomes the Indiana University South Bend Chapter
Over the past month, I’ve had the pleasure of working Sky Santiago, our newest chapter leader from Indiana University South Bend. Her chapter recently became fully established, so in celebration, I asked her to tell us a little more about her plans for the future. How did you hear about SSDP? I heard about SSDP through MAPS (Multidisciplinary Association
SSDP Welcomes Arizona State University Downtown
Our presence in the desert southwest continues to grow with the addition of our second chapter at Arizona State University, ASU Downtown. Our chapter on the main ASU campus in Tempe has been around for several years and helped collaborate with students on the Phoenix (downtown) campus to form this second ASU SSDP chapter. The downtown campus chapter is led
SSDP Welcomes the UNC Charlotte Chapter
We have another new SSDP chapter in North Carolina, UNC Charlotte! The chapter leaders, Cody Dorce and Juliuse Mallari were able to navigate the process of becoming officially recognized by their school in just a few weeks. This chapter is wholly focused on pursuing a campus-level medical amnesty policy and reducing or eliminating punitive measures (to the greatest extent possible) by
