Author Archives: Pete Guither

The inestimable Transform Drug Policy Foundation has done it again. Their newest report is A Comparison of the Cost-effectiveness of the Prohibition and Regulation of Drugs (pdf), which is that, plus a kick in the pants. In a field where … Continue reading →

I’m watching a documentary about the musical Hair, and it included this quote: The hippies really had a philosophy of their drugs. There were good drugs and bad drugs. Bad drugs shut your mind down — alcohol, cocaine, heroin. Good … Continue reading →

Updates to yesterday’s post “bullet” A big thanks to Dano regarding the postponement of Ammiano’s legalization bill (AB 390). A note from Dale Gieringer posted at Mendocinocountry’s Blog says: Contrary to the article by Richard Johnson, Assemblyman Ammiano did NOT … Continue reading →

This isn’t the first year that Illinois has discussed medical marijuana. So you’d think that the media would be better able to report on it by now. “bullet” Charity Bonner reports in the Elgin Courier News. According to the U.S. … Continue reading →

“bullet” “Why is AB 390 being delayed until next year?” No idea. AB 390 is the bill for legalizing marijuana in California, introduced by Ammiano. This page suggests that the first hearing was cancelled by the author, and other sources … Continue reading →

I was busy traveling this weekend, and exhausted from driving back from Chicago in a blinding snowstorm (in April?) last night, so here’s al I’ve got for you. Carlos Santana tells President Obama: “Legalize Marijuana.” What else is going on?

“bullet” Maia Szalavitz: Is the Media Finally Getting it On Drug Policy? For years, virtually every internet discussion of drug policy has been dominated by drug policy reformers and outright legalization advocates–but this growing sentiment amongst the most educated and … Continue reading →

Reminder: Glenn Greenwald will be at the Cato Institute tomorrow (Friday) at noon Eastern to talk about his paper: Drug Decriminalization in Portugal: Lessons for Creating Fair and Successful Drug Policies. Peter Reuter will be responding, and Tim Lynch, moderating. … Continue reading →

Another big one dares to suggest the marijuana legalization question: Joe Klein in Time Magazine. But, beneath the furious roil of the economic crisis, a national conversation has quietly begun about the irrationality of our drug laws. It is going … Continue reading →

This isn’t really a drug policy reform post, but there’s a connection that I’ll get to. You may have heard about the ridiculous District Attorney George Skumanick, Jr. of Wyoming County, Pennsylvania and his “sexting” case. (Simply put, sexting is … Continue reading →