The dismantling of the Rockefeller Drug Laws is picking up steam. The New York State Assembly held a key hearing to press forward with implementation of the reforms.
Tony Newman | Posted 12.05.2009 | Politics
2009 will go down as the beginning of the end of the United States drug war. There was more debate and movement toward sensible drug policies this year than in the last nine years combined.
Anthony Papa | Posted 11.19.2009 | New York
Stop the presses! Political comedian-turned-activist-turned-candidate for Senate Randy Credico has resigned his position at the Kunstler Fund to devote himself full-time to defeating Schumer.
Tony Newman | Posted 10.22.2009 | New York
For as long as I can remember, the conventional political wisdom had been that elected officials, especially Democrats, can't touch drug policy reform with a ten foot pole.
Anthony Papa | Posted 10.07.2009 | New York
Having felt the sting of the Rockefeller laws firsthand -- serving 12 years under a 15-years-to-life sentence -- I understand the full meaning of the reforms that went into effect today.
Eric T. Schneiderman | Posted 10.07.2009 | New York
For all the (fair) criticism of Albany's dysfunction, our state government did get something right this year. The drug law reforms go into effect today.
David Jones | Posted 12.01.2009 | New York
It's time to be really tough on criminals. Let's make it so they have to get a job when they get out of jail -- so they can suffer like the rest of us.
David Sirota | Posted 11.23.2009 | New York
Despite flying under the radar, the Working Families Party is perhaps today's most encouraging model for achieving progressive results over the long haul.
Anthony Papa | Posted 11.21.2009 | New York
If Cy Vance adopts a balanced approach to justice that incorporates compassion, he will go a long way. As for Judge Snyder, I bid her farewell and I wish her ride on a slow boat to China is a good one.
Anthony Papa | Posted 11.10.2009 | New York
Here is a powerful and poignant video of Terrance Stevens slamming Leslie Crocker Snyder, who is running for Manhattan District Attorney.
Anthony Papa | Posted 10.20.2009 | New York
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 those laws.
Tony Newman | Posted 10.19.2009 | New York
We have two candidates running for District Attorney of Manhattan, one the of the most powerful law enforcement jobs in the country, admitting to cocaine use.
Anthony Papa | Posted 09.06.2009 | Entertainment
The role of drugs and drug addiction loom large in our society, but instead of demonizing addicted individuals, we need an alternative approach: treatment, not imprisonment.
Anthony Papa | Posted 08.15.2009 | Entertainment
I swore 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 years for a non-violent drug crime under the Rockefeller Drug Laws.
Anthony Papa | Posted 07.03.2009 | Politics
District Attorneys and Republican Senators, who were the main opponents of the reforms, have struck back. They are now seeking to mount a campaign to repeal the reforms.
Anthony Papa | Posted 06.07.2009 | Politics
The Rockefeller Drug Laws had evolved to become a racist entity that was a complete failure in balancing the scales of justice with the needs of protecting our communities.
Richard Aborn | Posted 06.04.2009 | Politics
Treatment of drug users is the most effective use of tax dollars to reduce illicit drug use and related crime, while mandatory sentencing is the least effective.
Russell Simmons | Posted 05.18.2009 | Politics
As the first African-American Governor of New York, you have already made history. We now want to help you create a legacy.
Benjamin Todd Jealous | Posted 05.12.2009 | Politics
Repeal of New York state's Rockefeller drug laws signals a perfect storm for changing our expensive, ineffective, and discriminatory drug laws.
Warren Holstein | Posted 05.09.2009 | Comedy
Bollocks! How is that California, the crossroads of implants, spray tans and superficiality, has a leg up on the Empire State, on the possible legalization and taxation of Cannabis sativa?
New York Times | JEREMY W. PETERS | Posted 04.26.2009 | Home
ALBANY -- Gov. David A. Paterson and New York legislative leaders have reached an agreement to dismantle much of what remains of the state's strict 19...
Odile Weissenborn | Posted 04.26.2009 | Politics
In New York, the 36-year-old Rockefeller Drug Laws may be massively overhauled.
Russell Simmons | Posted 04.17.2009 | Politics
The nation is watching to see if we will do the right thing in New York by repealing the Rockefeller Drug Laws. And if we do the right thing, the nation will follow in our footsteps.
Russell Simmons | Posted 04.09.2009 | Politics
Today, there are approximately 12,000 people in New York prisons under the Rockefeller Drug Laws, more than 90 percent of who are Black and Latino. There is no excuse for this disparity.
Anthony Papa | Posted 04.05.2009 | Politics
The reason my mugshot was on the New York Times site is because they featured me in a video on the New York Assembly passing legislation yesterday to overhaul the Rockefeller Drug Laws.
Anthony Papa | Posted 12.09.2009 | New York