Thanks to the persistent grassroots resistance by Indigenous communities in Colombia like the Nasa Tribe, Colombia’s Constitutional Court has paused the aerial fumigation of coca plants, ruling that the government failed to consult communities affected by the spraying of toxic chemicals onto their land. The Court ruled that the Duque administration must fully consult with potentially affected communities before the
It is time to end the disparity in prison sentences between crack and powder cocaine-related offenses. Urge your Senators to vote YES on the EQUAL Act!In 1986, the Anti Drug Abuse Act created a 100:1 disparity between the federal mandatory minimum sentence for crack and powder cocaine. Almost a quarter century later, President Obama signed the Fair Sentencing Act, reducing
Following the launch of the Second Edition of Drug Policy Reform at the United Nations: A Youth Advocacy Handbook, SSDP International is proud to open registration for the Annual UN Training Webinar Series.Both international and US network members are welcome to sign up using the SSDP UN Mailing List.
Projects: SSDP’s comments and Relevant Summary of the Cannabis Administration and Opportunity Act is in progress, due September 1stNew actions added to the Action Center!Urge Congress and the Biden Administration to Eliminate Funding for International Crop Eradication hereUrge Representatives to Co-sponsor and Support the Drug Policy Reform Act of 2021 hereNew U.S Policy Council Tactical Team Vote Tracker started July
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.
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
What a year it has been for cannabis policy reform! Between the seven winning U.S. state ballot initiatives for adult use and medical cannabis legalization, the United Nations vote to remove cannabis from Schedule IV- recognizing its medicinal benefits, and the passage of the MORE Act in the United States House of Representatives, we have seen a historic blow to
This school year, many of our student members are starting their semesters during an unprecedented pandemic, with confusing campus reopening timelines, virtual classes, and a long lasting separation from their friends and fellow drug policy reformers. Despite the intense challenges of organizing during this time, our chapters and our members continue to show resilience in fighting the War on Drugs.
By Erica Darragh ’14, SSDP Board Member and Sunrise Movement distributed organizer It is undeniable that we are living in a historic moment, comparable to the cultural awakening of the 1960s that fueled the Civil Rights, anti-war, and counterculture movements. The United States is being confronted with its racism during the most important election of our lifetimes, and ideas that