Monthly Archives: March 2008

Chicago Alderman Freddrenna Lyle (6th) in opposing the ban on little plastic bags: “But we’ve got enough laws we can’t enforce. We don’t want to make any more or criminalize legal conduct.”

“bullet” Bartonville, Illinois (just down the road from me) running “drug enforcement zones.” It sounds Constitutionally questionable, but unfortunately, the press coverage is extremely vague, so I’m not quite sure exactly what they’ll be doing. “bullet” Clarence Page: A ‘wire’ … Continue reading →

If you read fantasy stories about demons, you’ll often find the notion that the demon is powerless unless it is invited in, and then it feeds on fears to gain power and wreak destruction. That’s how freedom is lost. One … Continue reading →

* 2008 and 2009 based on estimated actual/anticipated figures [Via CESAR Fax]

Statement this morning in Vienna by Antonio Maria Costa, director of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime: “I attended the meeting of the drug alliance [DPA] in New Orleans last December, 1200 participants, 1000 lunatics, 200 good people … Continue reading →

“bullet” Thailand In the end, the war on drugs was simply a populist killing spree of small fry. No big drug dealers were ever affected, and after a while the drug business returned to normal. What is so sad about … Continue reading →

A coalition of groups including the International Harm Reduction Association, Human Rights Watch and the Canadian HIV/AIDS Legal Network, have published a report taking the United Nations drug control policies to task for not being in compliance with essential human … Continue reading →

I write a letter Medical cannabis bill distinct from legalization In the recent Pantagraph story about a medical cannabis bill advancing to the Illinois Senate (March 6, Page A8), Limey Nargelenas of the Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police complained … Continue reading →

Mukasey Puts Latest Crack in Truth on Drugs – a powerful piece in the Chicago Tribune by Carol Brook, Deputy Director of the Federal Defender Program for the Northern District of Illinois. This week, my phone has been ringing off … Continue reading →

This, apparently, is some kind of actual serious scientific research (although I’m really starting to wonder about the lab scientists down under — it seems like some of the kookiest marijuana stuff is coming from the Aussies and the Kiwis. … Continue reading →