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Drug Policy Alliance

Congressmen Help Launch Drug War Exit Strategy Guide

Bill Piper | Posted 05.16.2013 | Crime
Bill Piper

On Thursday, the Drug Policy Alliance will release An Exit Strategy for the Failed War on Drugs. This comprehensive report contains 75 broad and incremental recommendations for legislative reforms.

President Obama Is the Last Person Who Should Joke About Marijuana

Derek Rosenfeld | Posted 04.30.2013 | Politics
Derek Rosenfeld

President Obama made a joke about his marijuana use at last week's White House Correspondents' Dinner. It was just one joke, and it was actually pretty funny, but let's consider the context.

Cameron Douglas Denied Justice: Extra 54 Months for His Drug Addiction

Anthony Papa | Posted 04.16.2013 | Crime
Anthony Papa

While imprisoned, Cameron relapsed and began using drugs again. Instead of getting the treatment for his addiction which would have addressed his craving, Cameron did what many other imprisoned substance abusers do.

Colbert Connects the Dots Between Marijuana Legalization and Marriage Equality

Tony Newman | Posted 04.12.2013 | Politics
Tony Newman

While President Obama and the Democratic establishment have all come out in support of marriage equality over the past few years, most mainstream politicians are still behind the curve on drug policy reform.

The Role the Media Can Play in Reducing the Overdose Crisis

Meghan Ralston | Posted 04.03.2013 | Healthy Living
Meghan Ralston

Solutions like expanded access to naloxone and the 911 Good Samaritan law work and can save lives -- but only if people know about them.

Marijuana Legalization Proponents Deny Health Harms Just Like the Tobacco Industry Did

Sue Rusche | Posted 05.18.2013 | Politics
Sue Rusche

Sooner or later, marijuana legalization proponents will have to take responsibility for grossly misleading the public about the health harms of pot. To persuade people to legalize, they have to perpetuate the myth that marijuana is harmless.

Classic Songs About Drug Use, Drug Selling and the Drug War

Tony Newman | Posted 03.26.2013 | Entertainment
Tony Newman

Musicians are some of the most open and honest people when it comes to drug use in society. While there is still stigma and fear for most of us when it comes to talking about personal drug use, musicians share their experiences, both good and bad through their songs.

Why People Who Hate Drugs Should Want to End the Drug War

Tony Newman | Posted 03.19.2013 | Politics
Tony Newman

Many people hate drugs. It is easy to see why. Most families have had a loved one with a problematic relationship to alcohol or other drugs. While it might be counterintuitive, people who hate drugs should be at the forefront of ending our nation's failed drug war.

Why Patrick Kennedy and Others in Recovery Should Support, Not Oppose Marijuana Legalization

Tony Newman | Posted 03.10.2013 | Politics
Tony Newman

Here are some reasons why people in recovery should oppose our marijuana arrest crusade and the drug war as a whole.

Connecting the Dots: 10 Disastrous Consequences of the Drug War

Tony Newman | Posted 03.05.2013 | Politics
Tony Newman

While it might not be obvious, the war on drugs touches and destroys so many of the issues we care about and values we hold. Below are ten collateral consequences of the drug war and reasons we need to find an exit strategy from this unwinnable war.

NY Times Ad: Prohibition Is Finally Coming to an End

Ethan Nadelmann | Posted 02.18.2013 | Politics
Ethan Nadelmann

This past year was the best ever for our growing movement to end the war on drugs. Marijuana legalization and broader drug policy reform have moved from the fringes to the mainstream of U.S. and international politics.

The Beginning of the End of the Drug War: Top Stories of 2012

Tony Newman | Posted 02.10.2013 | Politics
Tony Newman

Voters in Colorado and Washington made worldwide news by legalizing marijuana, Presidents around Latin America spoke out passionately against the drug war, and award-winning movies gave voice to those seeking change.

Deepak Chopra Joins Movement to End the War on Drugs

Jag Davies | Posted 01.29.2013 | Politics
Jag Davies

Something that most people might not know about the drug policy reform movement is the broad range of support it enjoys from people all across the political and cultural spectrums.

The Marijuana Conversation at Thanksgiving Dinner

Derek Rosenfeld | Posted 01.20.2013 | Crime
Derek Rosenfeld

If the conversation at your Thanksgiving dinner gets boring, you should feel comfortable bringing up marijuana legalization. It's been all over the news since Election Day and public opinion about marijuana legalization is changing rapidly.

Saving Lives By Calling for Help: Overdose and Bon Jovi's Daughter

Gabriel Sayegh | Posted 01.14.2013 | New York
Gabriel Sayegh

Saving lives should always take priority over punishing behavior. Today, Jon Bon Jovi's daughter Stephanie is alive because someone called for help. Let's make sure others know that they can and should do the same.

Will Obama or Romney Address Worldwide Debate on Failed Drug War?

Tony Newman | Posted 12.22.2012 | Politics
Tony Newman

Tonight's focus on foreign policy is a perfect opportunity to acknowledge and join the debate raging in Latin America, where several current presidents are finally calling for an honest and open debate about how to end the drug war's decades-long bloodbath in their countries.

The Debate in Washington State Over Legalizing Marijuana Is Off-Track

Rob Kampia | Posted 11.04.2012 | Politics
Rob Kampia

2012-08-28-scblog2.pngThis year's Hempfest included a real debate, which was whether marijuana users should vote for Initiative 502 -- the marijuana-legalization initiative that will appear on the November 6 statewide ballot.

The Good News and the Bad in Drug Policy Reform

Stanton Peele | Posted 08.03.2012 | Politics
Stanton Peele

Democratic administrations are the worst drug policy reformers. That is, except for Republican adminstrations.

The Genie Has Escaped the Drug Prohibition Bottle

Ethan Nadelmann | Posted 09.29.2012 | World
Ethan Nadelmann

The long term alternative to the failed global drug prohibition regime ultimately lies in embracing three specific policy options: legal regulation of cannabis; full decriminalization of possession of small amounts of drugs; and legal access to pharmaceutical versions of other illicit drugs for addicts.

Belize to Consider Decriminalizing Marijuana Possession

Ethan Nadelmann | Posted 09.17.2012 | World
Ethan Nadelmann

It is encouraging to see Belize's government join the growing number of countries calling for alternatives to the criminalization of people who use drugs. In the past months, Latin America has been at the forefront of this trend.

Five Hilarious Skits That Slam the Insane Drug War

Tony Newman | Posted 09.01.2012 | Comedy
Tony Newman

Comedy is powerful. And while the drug war is not a laughing matter, comedians are often able to capture the absurdity and insanity better than policy papers and traditional journalism. Below are five humorous clips that allow us to laugh, so we don't have to cry.

Colombia Decriminalizes Cocaine and Marijuana, As Latin American Momentum for Drug Policy Reform Continues

Ethan Nadelmann | Posted 09.01.2012 | World
Ethan Nadelmann

Colombia's Constitutional Court Friday approved the government's proposal to decriminalize the possession of small amounts of cocaine and marijuana for personal use.

Advocacy Groups Launch Campaign To End Marijuana Possession Arrests

The Huffington Post | Lucia Graves | Posted 06.05.2012 | Politics

A major coalition of advocacy groups is launching an effort to end New York's arrests of individuals for possessing small amounts of marijuana in publ...

Alcohol Prohibition Not Helping Native Americans Deal With Harms of Alcohol

Tony Newman | Posted 07.08.2012 | Crime
Tony Newman

As terrible as alcohol and other drugs are for some people, prohibition is not the answer. It didn't work in the United States in the 1920s and it is not working for the Sioux people today.

Marijuana Legalization Debate Arrives: From Latin American Presidents to Costco Magazine!

Tony Newman | Posted 05.05.2012 | Politics
Tony Newman

The U.S. has been shoving our failed drug policy down the throats of countries around the world and at home for decades. All of those in favor of a serious and honest debate say "Aye"!