Today is a historic day for New York, the day that the Rockefeller Drug Law reforms kicked in, setting in motion the release of 1,500 low-level nonviolent drug offenders. The new law also gives judicial discretion back to judges, who can now determine whether someone should get treatment for their...

Everyday we read national headlines about the war on drugs. More and more elected officials are saying the war on drugs is not working and that we need to consider alternatives. There are stories about states like California considering taxing and regulating marijuana. There is coverage about drug prohibition...

On Sep. 15, Cy Vance Jr. overwhelmingly beat Leslie Crocker Snyder in the race to be Manhattan's next district attorney. Since there is no Republican challenger, Vance will be voted into office in November.

Snyder, who built her career as a ruthless prosecutor and judge, was beaten so bad that...

Here is a powerful and poignant video of Terrance Stevens slamming Leslie Crocker Snyder, who is running for Manhattan District Attorney.

While Snyder is campaigning that she is for the reform of the Rockefeller Drug Laws, and has only sentenced kingpins to harsh sentences, this is not true.

Almost 13 years ago I met Judith Sloan, a performance artist and oral historian. I was fresh out of prison and had an art exhibit at Solo Arts in NYC. It was there I caught one of Judith's performances.

I was impressed with Judith's wit and humor...

Former Judge Leslie Crocker Snyder and I have a history. Most would say it's a parallel relationship. Crocker was a "hang em' high" judge who was infamous for handing out stiff drug sentences under the Rockefeller Drug Laws. I served a 15 to life sentence under these laws. Crocker wrote...

When we talk about who has the best slum landlord stories we now have to mention this tragic case.

Marilyn Holsten was 49 years old and in frail health, suffering from diabetes. She'd had both legs amputated, was almost blind, and received dialysis six hours a day. She lived...

I recently wrote a blog about Cameron Douglas who now because of the DEA (Drug Enforcement Agency) and their hype has caused the media to see Cameron as a major drug dealer. I believe Douglas is a small time player who dealt meth because of his drug habit. If...

Life imitating art always intrigues me. Michael Douglas who starred in Traffic, the Academy-Award-winning film about the drug war in America, now faces a real life situation similar to the role he played in the film. Douglas played the United States Drug Czar whose daughter was addicted to heroin. He...

Should common chemicals found in cold medications such as pseudoephedrine be made into a controlled substance? I don't think so. But, the city council of Washington, MO disagrees.

Earlier this month they became the first local government in the country to require a prescription for cold medications that contain...

I swore up and down to myself I would never return. But over a decade later, here I was back at the maximum security prison where I served a 15 to life sentence for a non-violent drug crime under the Rockefeller Drug Laws of New York State.

Recently, Gov. Paterson passed legislation that brought meaningful Rockefeller Drug Law reform to New York State. But it did not come easy. Opponents of the reforms fought tooth and nail and swore that bringing forth these changes would open the flood gates of hell. Thank goodness common sense prevailed. But...

On May 21, former major league baseball star Willie Mays Aikens testified at a U.S. House Judiciary Hearing about the harsh drug sentencing laws that put him behind bars for 14 years.

In 1994, Aikens was sentenced to nearly 21 years for crack cocaine distribution, bribery and gun...

Last week California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger became the latest and most high-profile U.S. elected official to call for a debate on legalizing marijuana.

On May 12th, CBS News.com ran pro and con marijuana legalization opinion pieces by Ethan Nadelmann of the Drug Policy Alliance and actor...

On April 24, I attended an historic bill-signing ceremony that put another nail in the coffin to halt the 36-year reign of injustice promulgated by the Rockefeller Drug Laws of New York State. The ceremony took place in Corona, Queens, at the Elmcor Community Center. Governor David Paterson was...

On President Obama's 100th day in office the White House asked Congress to address the issue of disparity in penalties for the use of powder/crack cocaine. This historic request follows a national lobby day held yesterday that was co-sponsored by a dozen advocacy groups.

The day brought together voters...

April 20 is "National Pot Smoking Day." It's a day where people across the world celebrate in the conspicuous consumption of the magical herb, marijuana. It's an unofficial counterculture holiday that is based on the simple concept of smoking some cannabis and being happy.

The history of its...

Imagine putting a New York City comedian in a political showdown against the senior senator of New York State? Well, it may happen. There is talk of such a showdown floating around cyberspace. Randy Credico political activist and the official comedian of the Fred Dicker radio show is contemplating...

Bernie, you are about to face a living hell. How I do I know? In 1985, I was sentenced to 15 years to life under New York's draconian Rockefeller Drug Laws for a first time nonviolent drug crime. So I know all too well what your life is going to...

For most people, seeing their arrest mug shot on the New York Times homepage would be a nightmare. But for me, it was a blessing since it was part of a story that is near and dear to my heart. The reason my photo was on the site is because...