Tag: marijuana
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
Washington Opens First Retail Marijuana Stores
It has been an historic month for the state of Washington. After passing Initiative 502 in 2012, which legalized small amounts of marijuana to adults, retail stores are now open for business. On July 8, Washington residents purchased legal marijuana from Cannabis City and Top Shelf Cannabis, the first two licensed retail cannabis shops to open since I 502 passed.
DC Cannabis Campaign Rallies to ‘Vote Yes On 71’
DC’s marijuana advocacy group DCMJ is currently collecting signatures for their campaign to change outdated marijuana laws in Washington DC. The group aims to legalize the possession of marijuana and marijuana plants in limited amounts for people 21 and older. On April 15th the DC Board of Elections and Ethics finalized Ballot Initiative #71, naming it “Legalization of Possession of
The NCAA's contradictory stance on marijuana use among collegiate athletes
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
Victory: Maryland Decriminalizes Marijuana!
Maryland’s state legislature voted over the weekend to decriminalize possession of 10 grams or less of marijuana. When Governor O’Malley signs the bill, which he said he intends to do, Maryland will join the District of Columbia and 24 other states who have legalized or decriminalized marijuana. This is a splendid victory for marijuana law reformers! 50% of all states
2014 Northeast Regional Conference was a Success!
On Saturday, March 29th, dozens of SSDP students, supporters, and alumni gathered at West Chester University in Pennsylvania for the 2014 SSDP Northeast Regional Conference! The event was a huge success, with roughly 80 students and experts in drug policy reform joining together for an unforgettable day packed full of drug policy oriented events. Many of the events themselves were
What decriminalized cannabis looks like in Spain
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
Marijuana Decriminalized in DC; some issues unresolved, but a huge victory
On March 4th, 2014, the Washington D.C city council officially passed a bill that decriminalizes marijuana possession in the district. The bill now goes to DC Mayor Vincent Gray for final approval. Gray has previously expressed interest in loosening marijuana laws and is expected to sign it. Once that happens, Congress has 60 days to disallow it before it becomes
Marijuana Reform in the European Union
The momentum of marijuana reform in the US continues to grow, with efforts for medical marijuana, decriminalization, and even legalization accelerating in states around the country. On the opposite side of the Atlantic, the movement also seems to be gaining steam. As Reason reported on Monday, supporters have just last week begun gathering signatures to propose a citizen’s initiative to
On Marijuana Use in the NFL
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
New Hampshire on Marijuana: Catching Up with New England?
This piece was originally published at http://the-libertarian.co.uk. The New Hampshire House of Representatives has narrowly passed a bill that would legalize marijuana in the state. If signed into law, this would put the “Live Free or Die” state ahead of the rest of New England on marijuana reform. Currently, New Hampshire is the only state in New England without a
What Prohibition Has Taught Us
This article was originally published at The Libertarian. This past Friday marked the anniversary of national alcohol prohibition. Prohibition would have been 94 years old on January 17th; the 18th Amendment first went into effect on that date in 1920. The state of Georgia had tried alcohol prohibition as early as the 18th century, and wisely abandoned it after finding
David Brooks Fails to Defend Prohibition
Yet another embarrassing attempt at defending marijuana prohibition has been published in a major news outlet. David Brooks at the New York Times makes the usual personal criticisms of marijuana smokers while ignoring the serious issues surrounding prohibition. The old claim that marijuana simply makes the user stupid, apparently invulnerable to scientific evidence, resurfaces again in Brooks’ piece. “Stoned people
Legalization Enthusiasm on the March in Latin America
In a region where drug possession is already widely decriminalized, there are now signs of enthusiasm for farther-reaching reforms. In the wake of the first marijuana legalization bill passed in Latin America, there are signs that some other countries in the region are interested in following Uruguay’s example. The movement is not limited to poor or relatively wealthy countries, and
"Cannabis Cafe" Idea Making Strides in Europe
UK drug policy activist Colin Davies plans to open a new “cannabis cafe” in Manchester. Davis emphasizes that the new cafe plans to stay within the bounds of the law. The proposed establishment would not sell marijuana, but would simply serve as a social gathering point for marijuana users. Patrons would be encouraged to bring their own marijuana. Davies is
Another One Bites the Dust
Earlier today, Politico broke the news that US Representative Frank Wolf (R, VA) will not be seeking re-election in 2014. This news is very exciting for drug policy reformers, as Rep. Wolf is one of the few remaining members of Congress still suffering from Reefer Madness. You may recall Rep. Wolf from his statements in opposition to medical marijuana reform
Uruguay's Mujica Defends Marijuana Legalization
The President of Uruguay has defended himself against accusations from the United Nations concerning his country’s recent passage of a bill to legalize marijuana. “Tell this old man not to lie,” José Mujica remarked1, in reponse to claims by Raymond Yans, head of the International Narcotics Control Board, that Mujica had refused to meet with a UN delegation to discuss the
Marijuana Activism Spreading in Ireland
The current wave of marijuana-related activism has spread to Ireland. Both the spread of Students for Sensible Drug Policy chapters and a recent bill in the national legislature should give residents of the UK’s western neighbor reason for optimism. A bill was put to a vote in the national Irish legislature, the Dáil, on Tuesday. The proposed measure would have
Medical Marijuana in Israel
This blog post originally published on http://the-libertarian.co.uk. Medical marijuana, though not entirely new in Israel, is apparently still a point of contention among some in the country. Dr. Leonid Eidelman, chairman of the Israel Medical Association, has expressed strong opposition to a proposal to treat marijuana like other prescription medications. The proposed bill, introduced by two members of the Knesset
Marijuana Policy and Personality Type
This blog post originally published at http://the-libertarian.co.uk/ A study recently published in Time gives even more reason for marijuana policy activists in the US to be optimistic. The study, led by a psychologist at the University of Cambridge in the United Kingdom, deals with personality types between US states. The results imply that marijuana policy reform is even more broadly supported
Switzerland Decriminalizes Cannabis
This article originally published on http://the-libertarian.co.uk/ As of this month, marijuana is now decriminalized in all of Switzerland. The new measure was passed last year and went into effect on the first of this month. Anyone caught with 10 grams or less of the substance will now be free of any threat of criminal penalties, and will only be required to pay
Mandatory Minimum Sentences: on Their Way Out?
This article was originally published at http://the-libertarian.co.uk/ The United States may be approaching a turning point in one of the many failed policies involved in the War on Drugs. Hearings were held in the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee on September 18th concerning a bill which would significantly reform sentencing in the criminal justice system. The Justice Safety Valve Act of 2013,
SSDP Tulane Vice President Emma Tuttleman-Kriegler's Experience Lobbying for Marijuana Reform on Capitol Hill
Written by Emma Tuttleman-Kriegler, Vice President of Tulane Students for Sensible Drug Policy. On June 16th, 2013, I brought a simple message to Louisiana’s Senators and Representatives: Let states decide. Alongside more than 50 students from 22 different SSDP chapters, I called on our nation’s elected officials to respect states’ rights and end federal marijuana prohibition. Strategies Students for Sensible Drug Policy’s (SSDP) Federal Marijuana Lobby Day
The Dutch are finally trying to take two steps forward in their drug policy
A lot has been said and discussed about the drug policy of the Netherlands and in our previous article about the Netherlands, it is clear that some things don’t really make sense. But the city of Utrecht, the fourth largest city of the Netherlands, has decided to try to take some steps forward. The Dutch Office for Medicinal Cannabis (OMC),
U.S. Department of Justice Won't Challenge State Marijuana Laws
From: http://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/2013/August/13-opa-974.html Today, the U.S. Department of Justice announced an update to its federal marijuana enforcement policy in light of recent state ballot initiatives that legalize, under state law, the possession of small amounts of marijuana and provide for the regulation of marijuana production, processing, and sale. In a new memorandum outlining the policy, the Department makes clear that marijuana remains
