Author Archives: Pete

The Senate Judiciary Committee today passed S. 714, National Criminal Justice Commission Act of 2009. This was Senator Jim Webb’s bill, and it could be extremely important. It still needs to pass the full Senate and the House, etc., but … Continue reading →

Bailey returns with a follow-up to his first piece on the efforts to consider marijuana decrim in Washington State. ….. Wednesday’s executive session of the state house’s Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness committee concluded its deliberation of HB 1177 (marijuana … Continue reading →

According to an ABC News/Washington Post poll released Monday, 81% of Americans support legalization of medical marijuana. I’ve got a question for the Democrats who keep saying that the party doesn’t dare waste its political capital on an issue like … Continue reading →

I’m trying to set up a new backup system for my laptop and so far all I manage to do is crash, losing half-written posts in the process. So let’s turn it over to you for a bit.

Drug sentences excessive, expert says. University of Kentucky professor Robert Lawson has issued a report on Kentucky’s criminal justice system. Kentucky’s 35-year drug war has led to unfair, “brutally harsh sentences,” overcrowding the state’s prison system with non-violent offenders, a … Continue reading →

Seattle’s new city attorney to dismiss cases of pot possession City Attorney Pete Holmes, who beat incumbent Tom Carr in November, said he dismissed two marijuana-related cases in his first day on the job, and several others are about to … Continue reading →

This is a very pleasant thing to see — a reporter for a major newspaper noting and pointing out how a federal drug warrior is actively lobbying against state laws. Susan Greene: No one’s told drug-war soldier about peace breaking … Continue reading →

Here’s a real doozy: New year brings new round in fight to keep marijuana illegal by Sam Contakos. Sam is is a retired Johnstown [PA] businessman and former practicing physician. He also formerly served as a lecturer on the topic … Continue reading →

Ethan Nadelmann has been selected to be part of Change.org’s Changemakers network. He talks about how The War on Drugs is a War on People Change.org: If you could ask 1 million people to all do 1 thing to advance … Continue reading →

That sure is a lot of bizarre. Let’s check it out. MARIJUANA LEGALIZATION WASHINGTON (AP) – Cheech and Chong, and Cohen, too. Tennessee Congressman Steve Cohen shared the stage last night with the stoner comedy duo Cheech Marin and Tommy … Continue reading →