Blog
SSDP Sign-On Letter: Oppose Aerial Crop Eradication
Students for Sensible Drug Policy is circulating a sign-on letter for organizations and SSDP chapters to urge Congress to eliminate funding for aerial crop eradication in Colombia on the bases of environmental justice, human rights, public health, and sensible drug policy. In 2014, the World Health Organization found that Glyphosate, which is used in aerial fumigation, was and is responsible
It’s Time to Retire the War on Drugs
50 years ago today, former US President Richard Nixon declared drugs and people who use them “public enemy number one.” Since then, the global War on Drugs has taken the lives of thousands and ruined the lives of millions through criminalization, incarceration, and making drug use dangerous under prohibition. The War on Drugs was racially motivated from the very beginning. John Ehrlichman,
Connecticut House and Senate pass cannabis legalization with strong protections for students
For immediate release Primary contact: Jason Ortiz, SSDP Executive Directorjason@ssdo.org, (860) 639-8101 Secondary contact: Zach Green, President of UConn Hartford SSDPz.tyler.green@gmail.com, (860) 671-7414 Hartford – Connecticut became the 19th state to pass cannabis legalization through the legislature when the House of Representatives and Senate both passed SB1201. The bill is expected to be signed by the Governor today. “While stronger
Join The Team – Call for Global Fellow & Administration Officer
Students for Sensible Drug Policy International are looking for a Administration & Compliance Officer and a Global Fellow to join our team. Both positions are contractor positions, with a preferred start date of July 1st 2021. Please send your CV or resumé and cover letter to Róisín Downes at roisin@ssdp.org.
78 Students for Sensible Drug Policy Chapters Call On Congress To End Federal Marijuana Prohibition
For Immediate Release Primary contact: Rob Hofmann, United States Outreach and Policy Coordinator, Students for Sensible Drug Policy(607) 316-0227, robert@ssdp.org Secondary Contact: Jason Ortiz, Executive Director of Students for Sensible Drug Policy(860) 639-8101, jason@ssdp.org Today, 78 Students for Sensible Drug Policy (SSDP) chapters sent a letter to Speaker Pelosi, House Majority Leader Hoyer, and House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy urging
SSDP International is launching applications for the International Impact Grant on 15 June 2021!
SSDP International is launching applications for the International Impact Grant on 1 July 2021!
May 2021 – U.S Policy Council Monthly Round-Up
Projects: Appropriations Memos and Part 1 Slide Deck released, check U.S policy council website!SSDP MORE Act Chapter and Allied Organization Sign On LetterJune HiatusSpecial Pre-Hiatus US Policy Council Meeting Tuesday, June 1st 4-5pm monthly agenda hereU.S Policy Quick Links – everyone is welcome to build on and contribute to this living resource. Be sure to check it out and add
Introducing Penn State SSDP
Written by Kunal Gupta ’21, Penn State SSDP Chapter Leader How did you hear about SSDP? I heard about SSDP through my own research as a potential way for students to get more involved in the landscape of law reform regarding substance use! Why did you want to get involved/what made you decide to start a chapter? I wanted to
Introducing Heller School for Social Policy and Management SSDP
Written by Ali Carney ‘21, Heller School for Social Policy and Management SSDP Chapter Leader How did you hear about SSDP? I heard about SSDP through volunteering with the organization Baystaters for Natural Medicine. Once I expressed the idea of starting some sort of drug policy working group at Heller, a colleague of mine brought SSDP to my attention once
SSDP Press Release: Congress is Back for MORE to End Federal Marijuana Prohibition
The reintroduction of the MORE Act would remove federal penalties for marijuana and seek to repair the harms caused by decades of racially biased policing. Today, leaders in the House of Representatives reintroduced a landmark bill to end federal marijuana prohibition and begin to repair the harms caused by decades of disproportionate arrests and prosecutions. The Marijuana Opportunity, Reinvestment, and
The MORE Act Returns to Congress Tomorrow. Act Now.
The Marijuana Opportunity, Reinvestment, and Expungement (MORE) Act is expected to be re-introduced in the House of Representatives tomorrow (May 28th).In 2020, the House made history by passing the MORE Act, which would end the criminalization of marijuana at the federal level and provide grants to communities disproportionately impacted by the War on Drugs. With a split Senate and ever-increasing
SSDP Sign-On Letter To Support the MORE Act
Students for Sensible Drug Policy is circulating a sign-on letter for organizations and SSDP chapters to call on House representatives to co-sponsor the MORE Act and bring it to the floor in June. The impact of a simple marijuana arrest on a young person’s life can be drastic. Before the Higher Education Act Aid Elimination Penalty was removed, thousands of
Introducing SSDP Kentucky
Written by Tristan Harris ‘21, SSDP Kentucky Chapter Leader *Editor’s Note: Tristan is based out of the University of Pikeville, but all Kentuckians are welcome! To get connected, please email outreach@ssdp.org How did you hear about SSDP? I heard about SSDP through the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies site, I clicked on the link and explored the page. Why
Nominations are open for SSDP International’s European Regional Committee
Nominations are open for the inaugural elections of the European Regional Committee! Each country within the Europe, Central Asia and the Middle East regions can nominate two members for the Committee until the 21st of May, 17.00 CET. This is a great opportunity for members who are keen to become leaders in a dynamic international grassroots network and build valuable
April 2021 – U.S Policy Council Monthly Round-Up
Projects: TODAY – Introduction to U.S Policy Council #Sensible2021 Conference Session at 2:30 PM ESTTraining Library coming in June- Appropriations Series – Four parts to be uploaded. More details coming soon.U.S Policy Quick Links – everyone is welcome to build on and contribute to this living resource. Be sure to check it out and add to it, it is changing
Statement on Supreme Court Decision to Lift Restrictions on Sentencing Juveniles to Life Without Parole
A week ago, the Supreme Court ruled to lift restrictions on hard-line sentencing and mandatory minimums—making it easier for juveniles to be sentenced to life without parole. The ruling is in favor of harsh sentencing and mandatory minimums—overruling precedent to reform the U.S criminal justice system and undermining decades of reform meant to bring compassion and reason to youth sentencing.
Introducing Rutgers University SSDP
Written by Lily Ramos ‘21, Rutgers University Chapter Leader How did you hear about SSDP? I heard about SSDP through searching for organizations dedicated to legalizing medicinal psilocybin and the decriminalization of drugs. I was fascinated as I have always been passionate about drug policy and the broken ones we have in the United States. Why did you want to
Introducing SSDP’s Dubuque Ambassador
Written by Evan Hudson ‘21, Dubuque, Iowa SSDP Ambassador How did you hear about SSDP? I’ve been aware of SSDP’s work since high school, but only recently looked into getting involved as an extension of my work in harm reduction. Why did you want to get involved/what made you decide to start an SSDP Ambassadorship? I was inspired to become
Statement on Congress Voting to Extend Trump-Era Class-Wide Scheduling and Mandatory Minimum Sentencing of Fentanyl Analogues
Written by Sarah Noon ‘18On Wednesday, the House of Representatives voted to extend the Trump-era scheduling of fentanyl analogues, chemically similar substances—an approach that fails to mitigate overdose deaths, to mitigate other harms associated with substance use, and expands the use of harsh mandatory minimum sentencing laws currently set to expire May 6th. Today, the Senate will vote on the
#Sensible2021 is in three days!
In three days, hundreds of drug policy reformers across the globe will unite (virtually) to envision a more sensible future for all. Will you be one of them? #Sensible2021: The Virtual Drug Policy Conference makes activism as easy as clicking a link and Students for Sensible Drug Policy invites you to be a part of the movement by getting online
Announcing the 2021 SSDP Award Nominees
Every year at our annual conference, Students for Sensible Drug Policy recognizes the exceptional achievements of our members, chapters, alumni, and allies. This year, our awards ceremony will be broadcast live on Crowdcast on Sunday, May 2nd, 12:00pm EDT/ 4:00pm GMT. Register for the conference here. Congratulations to all nominees! Change Beyond Campus Minneapolis SSDPSSDP NigeriaSSDP Sierra LeoneSSDP IsraelUniversity of
SSDP Action Alert – We Need Your Support To Fund Drug Research!
Original action alert language written by Lindsey Galbo ’19, Wake Forest University School of Medicine SSDP Chapter Leader and Scientific Research Issue Group Member As drug policy reformers, it is important for us to recognize the necessity of funding drug research to better understand factors that contribute to different types of substance use, new potential pharmacological and behavioral treatments, harm
Announcing the #Sensible2021 Program
Next week, Students for Sensible Drug Policy will be gathering virtually for 11 sessions, two keynotes, three networking sessions, and an awards ceremony and virtual dance party. Sensible2021: The Virtual Drug Policy Conference will provide cutting-edge educational content that will sharpen our skills as activists fighting the failed drug war. You won’t want to miss our biggest event of the year
SSDP Statement on the Derek Chauvin Trial
In his trial for the murder of George Floyd, Derek Chauvin’s defense is arguing that George Floyd’s death was not a homicide, but a result of prior substance use. The defense is trying to put forth a narrative that “maximal restraint” was necessary because George Floyd had drugs in his system. This is abhorrent. A person having drugs in their
Vote TODAY in SSDP’s Board of Directors Election
Today is SSDP Election Day! This year, six candidates are running for three open student spots on SSDP’s Board of Directors. In addition to the three newly elected Board members, three alternates will be selected in the case that a Board member resigns or a seat otherwise becomes vacant. This year’s candidates come from chapters all across the United States
