Author Archives: Pete

Saruman: [talking to Gandalf] “Your love of the halfings’ leaf has clearly slowed your mind.” — Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring Saruman: [talking about Radagast] “It is his excessive consumption of mushrooms, that have addled his … Continue reading →

I’ve long been disappointed that there hasn’t been more public interest shown from gun rights activists in ending the war on drugs. The war on drugs has affected them in two significant ways: as a back door method of restricting … Continue reading →

Washington State Selects Botec Analysis Corp. as Finalist for Marijuana Consulting Contract The Washington State Liquor Control Board will announce tomorrow that it has tentatively selected Botec Analysis Corp. to provide cannabis-related consulting services tied to the emerging recreational marijuana … Continue reading →

Back from an exciting trip to New York. Saw some great shows and ate some amazing food. As usual, walked all over the city, and the weather mostly cooperated. A lot has been going on, and hopefully you’ve been following … Continue reading →

That’s the premise behind this excellent article in Alternet by Bill Fried: What Would It Be Like If Heroin Were Legal

It’s often been noted here that calling the drug war a failure is only true depending on what you consider to be the true goals of the drug war. Kevin Carson does a nice riff on that with Fifteen Benefits … Continue reading →

A very powerful OpEd in the New York Times by Fernando Henrique Cardoso (former President of Brazil) and Ruth Dreifuss (former President of Switzerland): An Ugly Truth in the War on Drugs This week, representatives from many nations will gather … Continue reading →

I’m heading out early Saturday morning for New York with a group of students for a week-long theatre trip. We’ll be seeing Matilda, Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike, Breakfast at Tiffany’s, Kinky Boots, and Caveman. I’ll check in … Continue reading →

I’m not always aware of the various state-based or local-based reform groups, and sometimes forget that there are dedicated people working hard on changing state and local laws all the time whose efforts may not get national attention. I just … Continue reading →

So today, Attorney General Holder is supposed to be grilled by the Senate Judiciary Committee (going on right now). There’s a general sense that he will address the administration’s “response” to marijuana legalization in Washington and Colorado. Update: HOLDER: “We … Continue reading →