Last year, the NCAA made a rule that decreased the amount of THC in the bloodstream it takes to fail a drug test; 15 nanograms per milliliter of THC will trigger a failure and will result in a half season suspension for the “offending” athlete. Prior to this new rule, the threshold for failing a drug test was higher, but the punishment
Now that the issue of legalizing marijuana has become a central issue in recent years, many are wondering what is the best way to legalize the plant for recreational use. In Washington and Colorado, it is legal for people to smoke in their private residences. But many smokers, especially those of lower economic status and therefore more likely to be
We began outlawing marijuana in the United States in the 1910s. For Western states, a driving reason was a fear of Mexican immigrants who used the plant. In Eastern states, it was fear of African Americans and jazz musicians who used cannabis to “take advantage of white women.” Making marijuana illegal was essentially a way to outlaw being an immigrant or not white.
Recently, NFL Draft prospect Michael Sam came out as the first potential gay player in the NFL, and, while his announcement is deservedly getting a ton of attention, it has hidden recent comments made by other NFL players in recent weeks. Pittsburgh safety Ryan Clark stated last week that marijuana use in the NFL is quite common, and what’s more
Last Tuesday, February 4, the Washington D.C. City Council voted to decriminalize less than an ounce of marijuana possession by a wide margin of 11-1. The bill now becomes one of the most lax decriminalized marijuana laws in the country, as possession of less than an ounce will now only garner a $25 fine. It does remain criminal to smoke
We have now had a few days to reflect on and gather the facts about the tragic death of Philip Seymour Hoffman, which looks to have been caused by a drug overdose involving heroin and prescription drugs. When one truly considers all the facts and possible alternatives, it’s clear that Hoffman’s death actually proves why the War on Drugs is
Today, the United States Judiciary Committee passed legislation reforming federal drug sentencing, as the Drug Policy Alliance reported, that was almost as surprising — at least in terms of who combined to pass it — as it is significant. The Smarter Sentencing Act will cut minimum mandatory minimum sentencing for drug offenses, reform the sentencing disparity between those convicted of