Garrett Reuscher
Cannnabusiness in California
Written by Kevin Akpan, SSDP Stories Intern With the 2014 state elections bookmarked as a win for drug policy reform, 2016 is looking to be an even bigger year for marijuana legislation. There may be as many as a dozen states proposing some type of marijuana initiative in 2016, including one of the most important states for the marijuana movement: California. California
Fighting for patients' rights in the workplace
Written by Kevin Akpan, SSDP Stories Intern Marijuana policy reform has taken the nation by storm. The most recent midterm elections resulted in Oregon, Alaska, and the District of Columbia joining Colorado and Washington as states that have legalized the recreational use of marijuana, while Florida was able to achieve the support of a 58% majority on its medical marijuana bill. As
Prop 47: A Step In The Right Direction
Written by Kevin Akpan, SSDP Stories Intern, and Greg Gaffney-Bills, Policy and Legislative Affairs Director at George Washington University In 2001, Portugal decriminalized all drugs. Possession of everything from marijuana and psychedelics to heroin and cocaine now results in mandatory drug education, counseling, and rehabilitation, instead of incarceration. Oddly enough, the sky didn’t fall and the world kept spinning. However, the prohibitionists were right about one
Nothing Worthwhile Ever Comes Easy
Written by Kevin Akpan, SSDP Stories Intern, and Greg Gaffney-Bills, Policy and Legislative Affairs Director at George Washington University A recent article in the Express Newspaper questioned what initiative 71 would accomplish if it were passed, as even if a yes vote were allowed to stand, it would be legal to possess and cultivate small amounts of marijuana however one would not be able
The Dangers of Synthetic Marijuana and How Passing Initiative 71 will Help
Written by Kevin Akpan, SSDP Stories Intern, and Greg Gaffney-Bills, Policy and Legislative Affairs Director at George Washington University Synthetic marijuana, a byproduct of the United States’ war on drugs, is killing Americans. In August 2012, officials in Davie, FL banned the sale of some forms of synthetic marijuana after 30-year-old Tod Parkinson was found dead on his kitchen floor, near packages labeled
Today I Was Found Guilty of Two Violations of American University’s Drug Policy
Written by an American University Student who wishes to remain anonymous. While the scene unfolded, I sat on the ground with my head against the wall and thought “if we were drinking in there we would have never been caught.” Waiting for the procedures to follow, my anxiety raged inside of me because this was the biggest mistake I made in
Maryland's Journey Towards Sensible Drug Policy
Written by Greg Gaffney-Bills of George Washington University SSDP The Washington Post’s article, “Bit of pot won’t land you in Maryland jail,” illustrated the beginning of Maryland’s journey towards sensible drug policy on October 1st. By decriminalizing marijuana, Maryland citizens and lawmakers are proving a level of commitment to the idea that drug use is a public health issue, not a criminal
Vote Yes on Initiative 71
Written by Greg Gaffney-Bills of George Washington University SSDP On September 14th, the Washington Post came out against Initiative 71, arguing that decriminalization is sounder policy than legalization. There is substantial evidence that marijuana is less harmful than alcohol and tobacco, but the anti-legalization sentiment certainly makes marijuana’s use more dangerous. Initiative 71 eliminates drug dealers’ role and ensures no harmful additives
Register and Vote on Initiative 71
Written by Greg Gaffney-Bills of George Washington University SSDP Election Day is nearly upon us, but unfortunately, many college students here in the District are unable to vote for or against ballot measures and candidates that will have major impacts on our lives. Not because students are ineligible, or don’t want to vote, but because they haven’t registered. Local elections influence
